According to a report by Alex Marvez of the Sporting News, Kellen Moore has decided to retire and will become the new quarterback coach of the Dallas Cowboys. The move has been widely predicted by multiple outlets, although Marvez credits an unnamed source for the information.
Moore of course has been with the Cowboys as a backup quarterback for the past three years, although he lost his job on the 53 man roster to UDFA Cooper Rush and finished the season on the practice squad. He has long been seen as a favorite and perhaps protege of offensive coordinator Scott Linehan. Now he will begin his coaching career if the report bears out.
Moore replaces Wade Wilson, whose contract was not renewed following the 2017 season. It is the first of several replacements the Cowboys will have to make among the assistant coaching ranks.
While the new job would be a clear testament to the faith the Cowboys and particularly Linehan have in him, it is not one that is going to be met with overwhelming approval from observers. Moore was never that proficient on the field, and there have been some questions as to how much he was willing to help Dallas QB Dak Prescott when the two were competing for a roster spot. Further, with the perception that the Cowboys need some innovative thinking for the offense after the sputtering performance of last season, he does not seem likely to bring much of that, having been a part of the team for the past three years, as well as having worked with Linehan while on the roster of the Detroit Lions. Were it not for Linehan, it is doubtful he ever would have been on the Dallas roster.
He also may have gotten some extra consideration because he shares a history of being a backup QB with head coach Jason Garrett. Hopefully, he also demonstrated some things in team meetings and practices that make the staff think he would be a good addition.
Still, the question of just how wise it is to look internally for such an important position given the crucial nature of Prescott’s further development remains. Should this not be a false report, we are soon going to find out.