Cowboys News: Dallas signals end of Brett Maher era, multiple coaches promoted

The Dallas Cowboys have a number of positions to upgrade this offseason. With receiver, cornerback, and defensive tackle tacking the spotlight, the hole at kicker has been overlooked as far as the offseason agenda.

After a representative regular season, Brett Maher capitulated in the Cowboys’ playoff win against the Buccaneers by missing a record four extra points.

The meltdown wasn’t enough for Maher to lose his job for the Divisional Round clash against the 49ers, but it did prompt Dallas to go out and sign Tristan Vizcaino to the practice squad in the build-up to the game.

Vizcaino surprisingly wasn’t promoted to the active roster for the game, but that didn’t necessarily confirm Maher’s job security, either.

Remember at the Senior Bowl when Jerry Jones said the Cowboys were moving in a different direction at kicker? It would appear Jones stayed true to his word, as Dallas confirmed it re-signed Vizcaino on Wednesday.

More Cowboys News:

• The Cowboys signing Vizcaino doesn’t mean Maher, a free agent, won’t get re-signed. Perhaps both kickers are signed to compete for the starting job in 2023. Before the playoffs, Maher made an incredible 90.6% of his field goals, including 9-of-11 from 50 yards or more, and 50-of-53 extra points.
• Dallas promoted multiple coaches Wednesday, including Scott Tolzien from offensive assistant to QBs coach. Tolzien replaces Doug Nussmeier, who was one of several coaches whose contract wasn’t renewed. Nussmeier has since joined Kellen Moore in LA as the Chargers QBs coach. Tolzien was brought in as an assistant in 2020 (when Mike McCarthy was hired), and becomes the fifth quarterback coach to work with Dak Prescott since he was drafted.
• Additionally, Jeff Blasko moved from assistant offensive line coach to run game coordinator/RBs coach, replacing Skip Peete. Scott McCurley will return as the linebackers coach, while Cannon Matthews, who’s been in Dallas since McCarthy’s arrival, will be the assistant DBs coach.

NFL News:

• The Titans got the cap-crunching wave started on Wednesday by releasing longtime left tackle Taylor Lewan, vet receiver Robert Woods, linebacker Zach Cunningham, and kicker Randy Bullock. Formerly $23 million over the cap, these maneuvers helped Tennessee save $37 million in cap space. It’ll be interesting to see if the Cowboys pursue Woods to upgrade their WR room.
• Per ESPN, Aaron Rodgers has emerged from his darkness retreat. Rodgers spent the past several days in darkness isolation to clear his mind and determine if he’ll retire or return for another season. If Rodgers continues playing, he will either return to Green Bay, or get traded, presumably to an AFC team.

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