Dallas Cowboys: Is 2018 a make or break year for Jason Garrett?
By Carl Daley
The Dallas Cowboys could be looking for a new head coach if their 2018 season goes poorly. Is Jason Garrett on the hot seat?
The Dallas Cowboys have completely changed their roster during the 2018 offseason and that may be a sign of things to come. Several coaches of come and gone and if things do not improve, the next coach to be out the door could be Jason Garrett. Rod Marinelli clearly has his replacement already on the roster in Kris Richard so it could be possible that Garrett’s is either already there or will be available in the near future.
Now when you are talking about replacing Garrett it has to be with someone outstanding. The Dallas Cowboys would not get rid of the comfort Garrett provides them without a specific reason (ability or choice).
If Garrett no longer has the ability to win over 50 percent of the Cowboys games, he will likely be out the door. If there is a better option on the open market like say Jim Bob Cooter, then Garrett could also see himself ousted. The Cowboys head coach currently holds a record of 67 wins and 53 losses, over eight seasons.
He has only made the playoffs twice both times losing to the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Divisional round. That is not exactly a record ringing of success, rather mediocrity. Under Garrett we have seen some good things, emphasis on doing things properly, being a good teammate/locker room guy, and the growth of stars Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott.
2018, however, could be the year that Garrett finally starts to feel his seat warm up as the Dallas Cowboys want to compete for a Super Bowl. There is no other way around it, that is all Dallas has wanted for quite some time. If Garrett has another 8-8 or 9-7 season it could be tough for him to survive.
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Now there are extenuating circumstances such as the rebuilding of the wide receiver corps that is currently going on, the continued growth of Dak Prescott, and a defense that is still incredibly young. Plus Garrett could not have foreseen the Elliott suspension, Tyron Smith injury, or retirement of Jason Witten, sometimes things just happen.
If this season goes off the rails, there are plenty of excuses to pin it on besides Garrett. Now by 2019 his seat will be on fire unless the Cowboys have made a deep playoff run, but it may not come down to wins and losses rather who is on the market.
If a Sean Payton or previously mentioned Jim Bob Cooter is available how do the Dallas Cowboys not take a chance and bring them in? Payton has always had a soft spot for the Cowboys and Jerry Jones, and Cooter is one of the hottest coaching prospects out there.
If either of those guys are around how could Jerry Jones resist on making a change? More games seemingly could be won with scheme/coaching staff stability but if your head coach keeps posting a middling record would you want that type of message in your locker room?
Next: Dallas Cowboys: Who were the best additions to the team during the 2018 offseason?
That 8-8 is good enough? 8-8 either means your personnel or your coaching staff is not that great, for the Dallas Cowboys they are running out of players to pin their struggles on. Only time will tell how secure Garrett’s position in this organization really is.