Kellen Moore will not be returning as Cowboys offensive coordinator

FRISCO, Texas — Kellen Moore will no longer be the offensive coordinator Dallas Cowboyscapping a four-year run in which the offense was ranked in the top 10 three times.

On Sunday night, Dallas coach Mike McCarthy said the Cowboys and Moore had “decided to part ways” after the end-of-season review process and additional discussion.

When he accepted the head coaching job in Dallas in 2020, McCarthy felt it was important to keep Moore as an asset. Dak Prescott, with Moore just completing his first season as the team’s offensive coordinator, the Cowboys boasted the nation’s top-ranked offense in terms of yards per game; Prescott also threw for 4,902 yards in 2019.

McCarthy may take over the playcalling duties, but no decision has been made, sources told ESPN.

When Prescott returned from a dislocated and fractured right ankle in 2020, the Cowboys had the leading offense in 2021 in yards and points per game. In 2022, the Cowboys ranked fourth in points per game and 11th in rushing yards despite Prescott’s five losses. games with a broken thumb.

“I want to thank Kellen for the deep commitment, hard work and dedication that were a major part of his time with the Cowboys,” McCarthy’s statement said. “The production of our offense and Dak’s mentorship were at the center of Kellen’s impact, and we appreciate his tenure and leadership.”

The last Cowboys coach was Jason Garrett in 2012. After that season, owner and general manager Jerry Jones wanted Garrett to relinquish those duties and focus on the team as a whole. Bill Callahan called the plays in 2013, and Scott Linehan followed from 2014 to 2018, before Moore took over.

Moore, who had one year left on his contract, interviewed last week Carolina Panthers The job of head coach went to Frank Reich. A source said Los Angeles Chargers recently requested permission to speak with Moore about their offensive coordinator opening.

Last year, Moore was a finalist Miami Dolphins It was a job for Mike McDaniel. In 2020, Moore threw himself into the job at Boise State, his alma mater.

Cowboys quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier, whose contract is up, also will not return.

“Doug is the consummate professional and brought football vision, enthusiasm and focus to work every day, which helped everyone he worked with at a higher level during his time with the Cowboys,” McCarthy said.

McCarthy served as the Packers’ play caller for most of his 13-year tenure in Green Bay. He relinquished those duties in 2015 but resumed calling games and vowed to do so for the remainder of his tenure as the Packers’ head coach, calling the decision to keep Moore as play-caller in 2020 a surprise.

In Green Bay, McCarthy coached Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers, catching up with him was rarely a problem. After catching 29 passes in 2005, Favre cut his catches to 18 and 15 in 2006 and 2007, respectively. Rodgers started as a starter in 2008 and never had more than 13 in a season, scoring twice in double figures (2008, 2010).

Prescott tied for the NFL lead in 2022 with 15 despite missing all five games. However, a season earlier, he set team records with 37 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions.

Brian Schottenheimer, who served as a Dallas consultant in 2022, could be a candidate for coordinator.

After a divisional round loss to the Cowboys San Francisco 49ersMcCarthy informed six coaches that they would not be returning: assistant coach Rob Davis, senior defensive assistant George Edwards, running backs coach Skip Peete, offensive line coach Joe Philbin, quality control coach Kyle Valero and assistant defensive line coach Leon Lett.

The Cowboys were able to keep defensive coordinator Dan Quinn removed his name from the leader’s account somewhere else