Cowboys News: Dallas schedules first OC interview, franchise tag price for RBs

Dallas Cowboys fans have zero idea what to make of Kellen Moore’s dismissal. While a large contingent isn’t opposed to a change, the idea of firing someone who consistently had the Cowboys as a top-five offense and handing the reins to Mike McCarthy who hasn’t called plays in nearly a decade is pretty bizarre.

With McCarthy likely needing a NFC Championship Game appearance in 2023 to survive another year as head coach, the understanding is him taking over play-calling is his version of going down with the ship. Why let someone else dictate your future? Better to go down on your own terms, right?

Whatever the rationale is, the Cowboys still need someone to replace Moore as offensive coordinator. Dallas has several internal candidates to monitor— Brian Schottenheimmer (sadly) chief among them, but their first reported interview comes from outside the organization.

Per The Athletic’s Joe Person, the Cowboys have requested to interview Panthers running backs coach Jeff Nixon for the vacancy.

The Panthers flaunted one of the NFL’s top rushing attacks even after they traded Christian McCaffrey to the 49ers. Nixon did a super job with D’Onta Foreman and Chuba Hubbard, and his work hasn’t gone unnoticed in league circles, apparently.

More Cowboys News:

• Nixon isn’t listed as a member of Frank Reich’s staff, so he seems destined to head elsewhere this offseason. He spent the last three seasons in Carolina, and served as the interim offensive coordinator in 2021 after Joe Brady was fired. He was the team’s assistant head coach in 2022, as well.
• The position-by-position value for 2023 franchise tags have been confirmed. Dalton Schultz played under the tag this season. Tony Pollard is the most likely candidate to take the mantle in 2023, and the number for running backs is set at $10.091 million. Whether the Cowboys meet that price, or let Pollard walk after a 1,000-yard season will be a major talking point for the next month.
• Tyler Biadasz was named to the Pro Bowl as an alternate for Eagles star Jason Kelce, who will be preparing for Super Bowl LVII against Kansas City after they obliterated a depleted 49ers team on Sunday.

NFL News:

• Speaking of the depleted 49ers, quarterback Brock Purdy suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow. The injury requires surgery, and is expected to keep Purdy out for the entire offseason program. With a six-month recovery, Purdy could be back for the start of training camp.
• The Eagles have opened as slight -1.5 favorites over the Chiefs for the Super Bowl. That line is subject to change, but it’s worth noting the favored team in the Super Bowl is 39-17 straight up, per ESPN Stats & Information.

Former Cowboys rival is dark horse candidate to replace Kellen Moore

The Cowboys have a vacancy at offensive coordinator to fill. Here's why former NY Giants head coach Ben McAdoo is a dark horse candidate to get the job.