In 1981, The Clash released the song, “Should I Stay or Should I Go” (YouTube link for when this definitely gets stuck in your head like I did mine for hours) and probably never thought it would relate to the Dallas Cowboys. But the last 18 months have been weird, so let’s just get weirder with it.
What’s weird, you may ask? The discussion around the fate of current offensive coordinator, Kellen Moore, and his future with the Cowboys. Without wasting time to get to my thoughts, let’s get that out of the way now. I, unfortunately, think Kellen Moore is gone after this season regardless of playoffs, NFC Championship, even Super Bowl.
Would I prefer to move on from Mike McCarthy and keep Moore for the long game? If push comes to shove, yes, but I don’t believe that option is on the table. I’ll also touch on the other side of that coin and dive into why he could stay, one of which may be a crossroads for fans. In the end, I’ll offer my gut feelings on some possible destinations he could land.
Let me know what your thoughts are. Do you think he stays in Dallas? Does he leave? If so, where? Excited to hear what some other Cowboys fans think in the face of this impending situation.
Why would Kellen Moore leave the Dallas Cowboys?
First, in an odd way, I think the further the Cowboys make it this season, the more likely we are to lose Moore this upcoming offseason. Moore has been dialing it up through the first four weeks and is still getting talked about by the national media. If he dials up these play calls in January, even February, in the national spotlight, other teams’ general managers will be making that phone call.
The NFL is an offense-driven league and fans clamor for excitement on offense. Moore brings that. He has shown adaptability from slinging it Week 1 in a shootout to a ground and pound attack against fronts he felt a mismatch on. Moore has it all in his bag of tricks and doesn’t call plays scared. He calls plays to go win the game rather than trying to not lose the game as evidenced by the speed option play call between two running backs to ice the game.
Secondly, head coach Mike McCarthy is only in year two at the helm. With the Cowboys looking at controlling their destiny in regards to reaching the playoffs, I do not see a way that general manager Jerry Jones parts ways this quickly. McCarthy’s first year feels like a “hall pass” due to the COVID-19 pandemic and an odd offseason to take over in the midst of.
Lastly, Kellen Moore is one of the hottest names as an up-and-coming head coach. Last year he was in serious talks with Boise State to return to his roots where he became a bit of an NCAA legend and become their head coach.
Moore signed an extension with the Cowboys in deciding to stay, but it feels that time is limited. Expect that sort of courting for Moore to only increase this upcoming offseason and come from NFL teams with vacant head coaching jobs.
Why would Kellen Moore stay with the Dallas Cowboys?
First, one way I see Kellen Moore staying in Dallas is due to a sort of collapse that sees Mike McCarthy shown the door in an early exit. That would have to entail the Cowboys missing the playoffs and a continued trend of some questionable game management. That is a crossroads facing Cowboys fans.
Keep Kellen Moore or make a playoff run? Personally, I am of the accord to get into the playoffs every time and figure out the rest in the offseason. The NFL is so unpredictable that I will take a chance in the playoffs 10/10 times.
Secondly, I can’t ignore the allure of becoming the Cowboys head coach, either. If Moore wants to become even more known nationally like Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan, staying to take over the Cowboys would instantly elevate him to that level.
Lastly, I do believe Kellen Moore has a special relationship with Dak Prescott as well. The two were teammates before Moore joined the coaching staff. There is a very evident success there and a connection between the two.
Maybe Moore values what he has in front of him and waits for his time to take over America’s Team with the tandem of Prescott and running back, Ezekiel Elliot, that he knows and trusts. That is a dream scenario for the Cowboys.
What teams will go after Kellen Moore?
Let’s take a shot in the dark here and guess where it makes sense for Kellen Moore to go to. My gut tells me a team with a young QB will take a shot on Moore after seeing the success he has had with quarterback Dak Prescott in a QB-driven league. Moore utilizes the running and passing game to make life easy on his quarterback. There are two teams that come to the forefront of my mind that make sense for the young play-caller to move to.
The Chicago Bears just drafted quarterback Justin Fields. His skill set is a mix of a strong arm and mobility. He is not all that different from Prescott. It feels like his current head coach, Matt Nagy, is on the hot seat and would need at least a Super Bowl appearance to keep his job, which is quite unlikely.
Moore would get to be creative and use Fields’ entire skillset in an offense similar to the one we see in Dallas currently. Personally, I think Fields is unbelievably talented, is a mold of the modern NFL quarterback, only awaiting an offensive mind to unlock all of his potential. Add in a solid running back in David Montgomery and receiver, Allen Robinson, this offense has talent. Moore could be looking at a move to the Windy City.
It pains me to say it, but the New York Giants seem to keep coming to my mind as a possible destination for Moore. Current head coach, Joe Judge, is on a seat hotter than Kellen Moore’s play-calling rhythm. This would give Moore the chance to work with quarterback Daniel Jones who has a skillset, albeit not to the same level, similar to Prescott with his mix of passing and mobility.
If the Giants part ways with Jones, which isn’t crazy to see happening, Moore may be enticed by the opportunity to have a say in drafting a rookie quarterback he desires to build an offense around paired with running back Saquon Barkley. We also can’t forget the draw that the New York spotlight carries.
It is a conversation that is going to continue for the duration of this season and one I predict to only get louder and louder. The Cowboys will be faced with what appears to be an impossible decision in the coming months and one that fans will be eagerly awaiting. Remember, it’s alright to have the discussion about Kellen Moore’s future while also enjoying the current success.