We have seen some changes throughout the Dallas Cowboys coaching staff within the last several days. Particularly on the offensive side of the ball.

Before the news of Dallas parting ways with OC Kellen Moore, the Cowboys also lost Quarterback Coach Doug Nussmeier, Running Back Coach Skip Peete, and Offensive Line Coach Joe Philbin.

So what do we think about all these changes? Are they good or bad?

Let me drop a couple of my thoughts regarding the current situation of the staff.

Coaching changes can be a great thing

Let’s start with the positives of these changes. The biggest thing that sticks out to me is every staff member that was part of the Jason Garrett era is now gone. 

Moore, Nussmeier, and Leon Lett are the only three that remained, and they were three of the five coaches the Cowboys let go of this month. This now gives Mike McCarthy a chance to build the rest of this coaching staff with coaches he wants there, with no holdovers from Garrett’s tenure.

Could we see a few guys he had during his days in Green Bay, or will he find some new faces? 

Let’s give this time. It is only the end of January, but starting this process early allows the Cowboys a chance to get a head start on some of the staff members that might get let go from other teams in the coming months.

Drastic changes can never be all good

With the Cowboys and Moore going their separate ways, reports are already out that McCarthy will call the plays. This is a huge red flag for me.

He relied HEAVILY on Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay when he was calling plays, which led to his end as their head coach.

He forced Rodgers to make almost every call pre-snap, and although it worked for a few years, it was a watered-down offense.

Curious to see who the Cowboys get as OC if McCarthy is calling plays. Job feels less attractive with that caveat.

It also goes without saying that this once again ratchets up the pressure on Mike. If playoff shortcomings led to Moore leaving, then the expectation is very clear.

— David Helman (@davidhelman_) January 30, 2023

For Cowboys fans, 2023 is a gigantic year for McCarthy, and he will either run himself out of the building or become the most beloved coach in recent memory.

I am going to take the bad side right now. I was all for Moore being let go until the news came out that McCarthy would take over playcalling duties.

The back-to-back 12-win seasons we saw the Cowboys put together could end quickly. If the Cowboys fail to advance to the NFC title game next season, it could end McCarthy’s time in Dallas.

He will have the staff he wants in the building, and guess what? If HE doesn’t get it done this time, I will be with the folks who want him gone.

My WAY too early prediction is that after the first few games he will hand off playcalling duties to someone else; he has enough to worry about, like when to call a timeout.

I want to talk myself into thinking this is going to work, but right now I don’t see it. It is your chance Mike; how are you going to respond?