It is only a matter of time until the Dallas Cowboys put in a farfetched interview request regarding their search for a new head coach.
As of this article's writing, the Cowboys plan to interview former Jets head coach Robert Saleh, Seahawks assistant head coach Leslie Frazier and Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. Of those requests, Frazier is the only one that came out of left field but he is seemingly in the mix for a head coaching job every hiring cycle.
We also know that Deion Sanders is a serious candidate for the job. What initially appeared as a leverage play by Sanders given he's up for an extension with Colorado has morphed into a real possibility as Ed Werder of WFAA reported Sanders would "almost certainly accept" the job if it's offered.
Part of the appeal of Sanders is his ability to form a top-notch coaching staff. The Cowboys would do well to let whomever they hire assemble their own staff. However, they seem hell-bent on shoehorning former tight end Jason Witten into a coaching role.
Cowboys' rumored Jason Witten plan is begging to blow up in their face
Werder believes there is a "high probability" that Witten will be on Dallas' coaching staff in some capacity. The Cowboys apparently tried getting Witten on the staff when Mike McCarthy was hired back in 2020, but McCarthy understandably had reservations.
I believe there is a very high probability that, depending upon whom is hired as head coach, that Jason Witten will be included in the staff.
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdNFL) January 16, 2025
There were scenarios discussed with Mike McCarthy when he was hired where that could have happened but McCarthy was understandably…
Nobody loves repeating past mistakes more than the Joneses.
This is nothing against Witten, who has led Liberty Christian high school in Texas to back-to-back state titles. There is also nothing wrong with Jerry Jones being high on Witten's coaching potential. He seems to be made of the right stuff.
However, Jones needs to let Witten develop on his own terms. He should start in college and work his way up the totem pole. It is encouraging that the Witten-head coach buzz has simmered, but forcing the 11-time Pro Bowler on whomever is hired as head coach is ridiculous.
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It would be similar (almost identical) to how Wade Phillips inherited Jason Garret, who eventually replaced Phillips. Maybe a candidate like Sanders who exudes confidence wouldn't have a problem mentoring Witten, but not every head coach is cut from the same cloth.
McCarthy is a prime example. He's coached in the NFL for 18 years and won a Super Bowl and still couldn't get behind the idea. During their failed negotiations, the Joneses pitched to McCarthy having Witten on staff as his successor. That was reportedly the driving force in the two sides moving in a different direction.
The Garrett-Phillips dynamic turned into a fiasco.
Former Cowboys receivers Patrick Crayton and Jesse Holley went on Dallas radio during the 2010 offseason and all but accused Garrett, then the offensive coordinator, of tanking the offense that season with an eye on the head coaching job. Phillips was fired after a 1-7 start and Garrett was promoted as interim head coach, which marked the start of his 10-year run as head coach.
Phillips shot down the theory and nobody is saying that Witten would cause similar controversy. However, Jones identifying Garrett as Phillips' successor and instantly promoting him to a prominent role laid the groundwork for an ugly breakup with Phillips.
We don't have a problem with Witten joining the staff as a position coach, but we struggle to trust Jones to put his affinity for the player aside and get out of the way.