NFL insider Jordan Schultz revealed a comment he got from a team executive in the wake of Jerry Jones hiring Brian Schottenheimer as the new Dallas Cowboys head coach.
What do NFL executives think of the move?
NFL Executive Critiques Jerry Jones’ Botched Coaching Search
Schottenheimer was brought to the Cowboys’ podium to be introduced as their new head coach on Monday, Jan. 27. Schultz posted a tweet around the same time that outlined some comments he’d gathered from a rival NFL executive.
This executive was extremely critical of Jones’ narrow selection process for coaching candidates and the hasty hiring process. He also stressed that current Philadelphia Eagles and former Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore would have been better for the role.
“Why are you rushing to hire Schotty when you had no other competition for him? If you were seeking continuity, then have that second interview with Kellen Moore — who, by the way, just had one of the greatest offensive performances in Conference Championship history. There was no reason to rush this.”
An NFC executive on the #Cowboys' decision to hire Brian Schottenheimer: "Why are you rushing to hire Schotty when you had no other competition for him? If you were seeking continuity, then have that second interview with Kellen Moore — who, by the way, just had one of the… pic.twitter.com/j5JQongmqG
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 27, 2025
This point of view makes a lot of sense when examined objectively. While Schottenheimer led the Cowboys to a top-four offense in 2023, Moore’s résumé as an offensive coordinator seems more suited to a high-profile head coaching job.
Moore has revitalized the Eagles’ offense during the 2024 season, saving it from the rut it had entered in late 2023. Allowing Philadelphia to keep such a coveted coordinator could also backfire in future divisional matchups. Given his past tenure in Dallas, Moore could also have enjoyed the same advantages of familiarity as Schottenheimer.
Schultz also broke a rumor about the Cowboys looking to add Matt Eberflus to Schottenheimer’s coaching staff as his defensive coordinator.
The #Cowboys are expected to hire former #Bears HC Matt Eberflus as their new defensive coordinator under new HC Brian Schottenheimer, per sources.
It will be a return to Dallas for Eberflus, who was their LBs coach from 2011-2017. pic.twitter.com/pSlSGtmrYC
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 27, 2025
This news has been met with the same kind of pessimism Cowboys fans showed for Schottenheimer’s hiring.
Eberflus exited his role in Chicago with one of the most damning mistakes made by a head coach this season. Although his record as a defensive coordinator has been great, Eberflus’ stock is at an all-time low among NFL fans.
Jones seems to be making decision after decision that undermines his assurances to Cowboys fans that they were going “all in” during the previous offseason.