Dallas Cowboys: Is it Super Bowl or bust for Jason Garrett in 2019?

The Dallas Cowboys have sent a clear message to head coach Jason Garrett, who is now coaching for his job. But is it Super Bowl or bust in 2019?

When the Dallas Cowboys lost five of their first eight games to start last season, many believed head coach Jason Garrett was finally on the hot seat. But the resilient Garrett was able to lead the Cowboys on an impressive run, winning seven of their last eight contests, securing the NFC East crown and posting their first playoff victory since 2014.

But last season’s success wasn’t enough to save the job of offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, who was “parted ways with” last month and eventually replaced by first-year quarterbacks coach Kellen Moore. And it apparently wasn’t enough to earn Garrett a contract extension. According to reports, owner and general manager Jerry Jones does not plan to extend the current deal for his longtime head coach, which ends following the 2019 season.

This is not the first time Garrett has been a lame duck coach in Dallas. Following three seasons posting an 8-8 record without a playoff berth, the former backup quarterback went into the 2014 season with only one year left on his contract as well. That season, the Cowboys posted an impressive 12-4 record and recorded a postseason victory in the Wild Card round against the Detroit Lions.

Dallas promptly rewarded Garrett with a five-year, $30 million contract. Four years later and the Cowboys have just one more playoff win to show for it. And, once again, Garrett is faced with a win or go home situation.

Here’s how Cowboys’ insider Jean-Jacques Taylor responded to a question about Garrett possibly being unhappy about how the vacancies on his staff got filled this offseason via the Dallas Morning News.

"“Garrett has won two playoff games in eight years as a head coach. He doesn’t really have the right to be mad about anything because most folks would’ve been fired by now. I like a lot of what Garrett does but he’s been set up to be replaced at the end of next season.”"

With a 29-year old second-year coach now in charge of his offense, Garrett appears to be coaching for his job in 2019. And that’s coming off a successful season. If the 52-year old head coach wants to remain in Dallas, he’ll likely need to exceed last year’s results. That means winning in the divisional round of the playoffs, something Garrett has never done before as a coach.

But the requirements for Jason Garrett to remain in Dallas may even be higher than that. With rumors of New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton possibly being on the table in 2020, it may take as much as a Super Bowl appearance for Jason Garrett to stay at the helm of America’s Team.