FRISCO — The Dallas Cowboys have begun a crucial offseason with a major change, promoting Brian Schottenheimer to head coach after deciding to end things with Mike McCarthy. This decision signals a new era here at The Star, but comes at a risk with a first-time head coach taking over.
But it is a risk Jerry Jones and his team are willing to take nonetheless. Since that initial decision came down, Schottenheimer and the Cowboys have moved quickly to assemble a strong staff around the head coach that at a minimum has eased some of those concerns.
Free agency and the NFL Draft linger not too far in the distance though and the Cowboys will need to utilize those two events to shake-up a lackluster roster.
Micah Parsons’ contract extension will also need some attending this summer though the objective of this offseason centers on finding and adding talent, not settling with what is already available.
There are some free agents and draft prospects that would satisfy those needs without a doubt. But one move above all cements the team’s claims of winning now.
Vaunted edge rusher Myles Garrett has requested a trade from the Cleveland Browns and will seek a new home, likely with a contender, this offseason. The Arlington, Texas, native has not requested a homecoming but one would be embraced by both sides if it happened.
NFL.com Dan Parr’s latest mock draft predicts just that with the Cowboys shipping off their No. 12 pick and a future first to acquire Garrett. Given the way Dallas handled their offseason a year ago, this is a pretty bold assumption.
However, it is the exact move that sends a message to the team, their fan base and the rest of the league about the Cowboys’ intentions heading into next season.
Garrett immediately makes the Cowboys one of the best defenses in football in partnering with Parsons who has confessed he will take more money if that means forming this partnership.
