Cowboys should put Jason Garrett on the hot seat
The Dallas Cowboys missed the playoffs last season for the second time in three years and head coach Jason Garrett’s future with the organization is in question.
In 2010, the Cowboys fired Wade Phillips after a 1-7 start and the Garrett era began. It took three consecutive seasons of .500 football before the Cowboys made their first playoff appearance in 2014.
It resulted in a 26-21 Divisional round loss against the Green Bay Packers and the woes lead into the 2015 season. Dallas finished 4-12, its worst record since 1-15 in 1989 under Jimmy Johnson.
Dallas’ second playoff appearance under Garrett came in 2016, but similarly to 2014, it was eliminated once again by the Packers in the Divisionals.
Garrett holds a 68-55 record since taking the helm in 2010. The only other coach employed longer by the franchise was Tom Landry. The biggest difference between the two coaches has been postseason success and Super Bowls.
So why is Garrett still parading up and down the sidelines?
"“For me, it’s mind-boggling. I don’t understand,” Terrell Owens said in an interview on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas. “And I think Jerry — again, he’s the owner at the end of the day, he has to feel good with himself about the decisions — but I just don’t understand why this guy [Garrett] still has a job.”"
The former Cowboys wide receiver said it perfectly. It’s mind-boggling. By keeping Garrett around, the organization is accepting mediocrity. In seven full seasons, Dallas has only made the playoffs twice.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones’ patience must be wearing thin as Dallas has yet to regain its dominance. America’s Team has been an average team and it’s not because they lack talent, they lack a leader.
"“When you really look at it, it doesn’t make sense for Jason Garrett to continue to have his job,” Owens said. “They are not really expanding or progressing even as a team under his coaching tenure there.”"
Once again, the Hall-of-Fame wide receiver’s criticism about coach Garrett is correct. The Cowboys have either missed the playoffs or have been eliminated far too early.
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Last season Ezekiel Elliott’s suspension and drama was Dallas’ excuse for struggling. This year, it could be the lack of playmakers surrounding Dak Prescott, with the departure of Dez Bryant and Jason Witten retiring.
It’s time for Jones to hold Garrett accountable, if not the Cowboys will miss out on a great opportunity to build something special with their young stars.