Pros and cons of Cowboys firing Kellen Moore as offensive coordinator
By Jerry Trotta
Con: Dak Prescott has to learn a new system
Just as it’s not always bad to install a fresh face, you have to consider the domino effect firing Moore will have on Dak Prescott. While Prescott having a new play-caller after his career-worst season sounds ideal in theory, you could flip it and say Prescott will have to learn a new system — assuming McCarthy’s isn’t identical to Moore’s — after he led the NFL in interceptions despite missing five games.
Could this be a blessing in disguise for Prescott? Absolutely. Could this also be a potential detriment entering a pivotal chapter in his career? Also, yes.
Con: Kellen Moore didn’t have enough weapons in 2022
Think about this. In 2021, the Cowboys offense finished tops in the NFL in both points (31.2) and yards (407.0) per game. This year, Dallas finished 11th in yards and fourth in points. Not a huge drop-off, but still impressive given Prescott missed five games with a fractured thumb.
Still, numbers don’t tell the whole story, and it’s no coincidence the Cowboys topped the league when they had a full complement of weapons. In 2021, they had Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, a healthy Michael Gallup for most of the year, Tony Pollard, Dalton Schultz and a declining Ezekiel Elliott.
In 2022, they had Lamb, a clearly compromised Gallup, Pollard, Schultz and a shadow of Elliott. The lack of weapons came full-circle in the playoff loss to the 49ers, and it’s worth pondering how different (better) the offense would’ve performed throughout the year had Moore had an extra weapon or two at his disposal.
Like Prescott, Moore wasn’t given a lot to work with this season, and the front office deserves to shoulder the blame for that.
