The Dallas Cowboys made several coaching changes after their loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round of the NFL Playoffs in January.
One of the most significant changes was the departure of offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, who landed the same role with the Los Angeles Chargers.
After Moore’s dismissal, head coach Mike McCarthy announced he would be the one calling the plays for the offense in 2023, something he has not done since the 2018 season with the Green Bay Packers.
“I’m looking forward to it, but it’s different,” McCarthy said as he met with the media before Thursday’s practice. “It’s different all the time. 2000 was my first opportunity to call plays in New Orleans, and I think [about] how much the offense has changed since then.”
“I actually spent part of my time away going back and looking at a lot of things from my earlier days,” he continued. “…When you have a level of experience, you’re always trying to go back and draw on that and see if there’s something that fits that will help our players this year.”
While McCarthy has been adamant that the basic principle of the offense will remain the same, there will be plenty of differences fans may notice on that side of the ball this season.
“We don’t by no means feel like we’re starting over on offense, but we are in a Year One mindset because the play-calling is going to be different, how we game plan is going to be different, and that’s natural any time you make a change,” he explained.
The Cowboys’ offense scored the fourth-most points per game in the league but were middle of the pack in yardage and among the league’s bottom teams in turnovers lost.
Dallas made significant additions to its offensive personnel, including newly acquired speedster Brandin Cooks.
“What I was most impressed with was his video — his production [and] just the way he’s performed at every opportunity,” McCarthy said of Cooks. “To a man — coach and player — he has just been super impressive for the type of man he is in the locker room. He has made an impact in the short time he’s been here, so a lot of love for his professionalism, and he’s been a joy to have here.”
Cooks has been in the league since 2014, playing for Houston, New Orleans, New England, and the Los Angeles Rams and surpassing 1,000 receiving yards six times. While he is smaller in stature, few receivers possess his blend o speed and the ability to make plays in the open field.
The Cowboys may also have a healthy Michael Gallup for the first time since 2020, giving the team the depth to utilize its receivers in a variety of ways.
“I think that’s a point that I really personally have always focused on, and I think it’s part of the direction we’re going,” McCarthy remarked. “I think guys need to play inside and outside as much as possible. We work the two-minute emphasis every single day, so it gives you the opportunity to play left and right and the ability to play inside and outside.”
Undrafted rookie wide receiver Jalen Moreno-Cropper has also impressed this offseason.
“I’ve just been very impressed with what these guys did in the offseason,” McCarthy explained. “He seems very comfortable. At the end of the day, as a coach, you’re trying to eliminate all the stress for your players so they’re just out here competing, not thinking. I think he’s done a nice job of that so far.”
Running back Ezekiel Elliott was released during the offseason, leaving Tony Pollard as the leader in the backfield. Pollard ran for 1,007 yards and nine touchdowns last season but suffered a broken leg and high ankle sprain in the season-ending loss to San Francisco and is playing on the franchise tag this season.
“Tony’s an impactful player, and I think he’s illustrated that,” McCarthy said. “…He’s a leader in that room and obviously one of our best players on offense.”
Tight end Dalton Schultz is also gone after signing with the Houston Texans. Schultz had over 500 yards receiving and at least four touchdown catches in each of the last three seasons and will be replaced by some combination of players that have not been featured payers on an offense in the NFL.
Another change the Cowboys made on offense was the promotion of Brian Schottenheimer to offensive coordinator. While Schottenheimer will not be calling the plays, he has plenty of experience as an offensive coordinator across the league and can be an influential presence for the team. Plus, he should be on the same page with McCarthy most of the time, as both have served as assistants under his father, potential Hall of Fame head coach Marty Schottenheimer.
“You have some continuity in place here with Brian and [offensive line coach Mike] Solari,” McCarthy told the media. “We have history together. I think our backgrounds are tied with how we want to play and the things we believe in. But at the end of the day, it’s about our players. The language has been in place from day one here because of Dak and the offensive players, so I think we’ve done a really good job building off that.”
“I think the offensive staff has been incredible,” he added. “I really like the connection that we’ve established in our time together. We’ve had a vision, and you’re starting to see it come together. ”
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EXTRA POINTS
— Ezekiel Elliott texted his former teammates to wish them good luck before training camp.
— Safety Donovan Wilson, who was carted off the field with an injury on Wednesday, is expected to miss four to six weeks and miss the rest of training camp.
— Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow left Thursday’s practice with a calf strain.
— New Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton told USA Today that the job his predecessor Nathaniel Hackett did with the team last season was “one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL.”
— Running back Dalvin Cook visited the New York Jets on Thursday.
— Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey was carted off the field after a collision with teammate Tyreek Hill.
