Cowboys News: Kellen Moore steals former coach, NFL writer endorses cutting Ezekiel Elliott

Dallas Cowboys fans are finally coming to terms with team’s decision to dismiss Kellen Moore as offensive coordinator. Of course, that process was delayed after Dallas appointed Brian Schottenheimer as his replacement.

An exotic hire was all but ruled out after it was confirmed Mike McCarthy would preside over play-calling, but Schottenheimer’s track record in the NFL as a high-ranking offensive assistant has fans nervous for what lies ahead.

Moore has since replaced Joe Lombardi as the Chargers offensive coordinator, and there’s reason to believe the former Cowboys assistant could attract some Dallas free agents — Cooper Rush chief among them — to sunny Los Angeles.

While Cowboys fans waited with bated breath for free agency, Moore has gotten a head start in terms of stealing from his former team.

Per ESPN’s Dianna Russini, the Chargers have hired former Dallas quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier for the same position.

More Cowboys News:

•  Nussmeier had previously interviewed for the Ravens vacant offensive coordinator position. The 52-year-old served as the Cowboys QBs coach for the past three seasons, and coached Dallas’ tight ends for two years before that. He has experience at the college level, too, running the offenses at Alabama, Michigan, Florida, Fresno State, and Washington.
• Around the NFL writer Gregg Rosenthal is a loud advocate of the Cowboys cutting Ezekiel Elliott. Rosenthal listed one move each NFC team should make this offseason, and cutting Zeke was his pick for Dallas.

"“It’s obvious the Cowboys held on to Elliott a year too long, partly because they felt boxed in financially,” Rosenthal argued. “Keeping him under any circumstances for another season is a sign that Jerry Jones’ biggest problem of the last 30 years — self-scouting — may only be getting worse.”“The Cowboys can save nearly $11 million by parting ways with Zeke as a post June-1 release. Using that money on a Tony Pollard contract/franchise tag makes sense because this offense is short on playmakers. Using the savings to find Dak Prescott another wideout would also work.”"

NFL News:

• Speaking of the Ravens, they hired Georgia OC Todd Monken as their new offensive coordinator. Monken won back-to-back national championships with the Bulldogs in 2021 and 2022. His offense posted an incomprehensible 501.5 yards and 40.7 points per game last season.
• The Jets, meanwhile, hired former Titans offensive coordinator Todd Downing as their passing game coordinator. Having served as the Raiders’ quarterbacks coach in 2015 and 2016, and their OC in 2017, Downing has extensive experience with Derek Carr, a potential Jets backup plan in case their reported pursuit of Aaron Rodgers doesn’t pan out.

3 Cowboys free agents we’d hate to see follow Kellen Moore to Chargers

Kellen Moore was hired as the Chargers new offensive coordinator. Here are three Cowboys free agents we'd hate to see follow Moore to Los Angeles.