Cowboys VP Jones doesn't commit to Linehan


Reuters | Updated: 15-01-2019 04:08 IST | Created: 15-01-2019 04:08 IST
Cowboys VP Jones doesn't commit to Linehan

Embattled offensive coordinator Scott Linehan will be back with the Dallas Cowboys next season if head coach Jason Garrett gets his way.

But vice president Stephen Jones said Monday it was too soon to discuss such moves.

Garrett, in a radio interview with 105.3 FM in Dallas, said he expects no major changes to the coaching staff and plans for Linehan to return in 2019.

Hours later on the same station, Jones said "I think it's a little early to be speculating about players, coaches, anything like that other than I really do think our group overall did a nice job. I know overall it was a good season, but we also know that we've had some good teams around here that haven't taken the next step. We've got to figure out what that is. We're obviously going to be doing a lot of work ... to see how we can take that next step."

Then, Monday afternoon, Garrett seemed to take a step back from his commitment to Linehan at the Cowboys' season-ending press conference.

"We haven't had any substantive conversations," Garrett said. "Scott did an excellent job for us this year. Again, I don't know how I answered that question this morning. Nothing has changed. Again, I was in and around player meetings. I feel very good about what Scott Linehan did for us. Feel very good what Rod Marinelli, Kris Richard have done, Keith O'Quinn and everybody on our staff. We'll have conversations about everybody as we go over here the next few days, and we'll make a lot of decisions to put the staff together, put our team together as we go."

Ezekiel Elliott won his second rushing title in three seasons in the NFL and the Cowboys finished 22nd in total offense. The team climbed from 28th in offense after acquiring wide receiver Amari Cooper. Still, Dallas averaged only 21.2 points per game.

Speculation in Dallas during the season was Linehan would return in 2019, but Garrett might claim play-calling responsibilities.

On the other side of the ball, defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli said he has no plans to retire.

Linehan has been the Cowboys' playcaller since 2014.

One assistant who could draw interest elsewhere is offensive line coach Marc Colombo. His Boston College teammate, Patriots defensive coordinator Brian Flores, is expected to be named head coach of the Miami Dolphins when New England's season ends.

--Field Level Media

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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