Cowboys, offensive coordinator Karen Moore reportedly parting ways

The Cowboys reportedly parted ways with offensive coordinator Karen Moore on Sunday.  (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

The Cowboys reportedly parted ways with offensive coordinator Karen Moore on Sunday. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

The Dallas Cowboys have made big changes offensively. The team reportedly parted ways with offensive coordinator Karen Moore on Sunday, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelicero.

The move comes a week after the Cowboys lost to the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round of the playoffs. Dallas scored just 12 points in a loss to seventh-round rookie quarterback Brock Purdy.

The move is surprising considering how good Dallas’ offense has been since Moore took over. Moore, who has been the team’s offensive coordinator since 2019, has helped the Cowboys rank sixth, 17th, first and fourth in scoring in his four seasons. The team’s low ranking in 2020 came after Dak Prescott suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 5.

Prescott has also been sidelined for some time this season, but the Cowboys are still producing good results offensively under Cooper Rush. The Mavericks have scored 20 or more points in four of the five games Rush has started.

The Cowboys continued to play well after Prescott returned, scoring at least 40 points twice from Weeks 11 through 16. Although Prescott was criticized for his interception after his return, he had a solid wild-card round against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

After a loss to the 49ers in which Prescott threw for a touchdown on two interceptions, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones opted to keep head coach Mike McCarthy for another season. Moore was not among the first coaches to lay off Thursday’s layoffs, but McCarthy said he is still being evaluated.

Karen Moore should be sought after as offensive coordinator

Moore’s success should make him one of the most sought after offensive coordinators on the market. Moore has interviewed for several head coaching opportunities during his tenure with the Cowboys, including one this offseason with the Carolina Panthers.

If Moore is unable to serve as head coach this offseason, he may join another team as offensive coordinator. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Moore is reportedly expected to speak with the Los Angeles Chargers about their current opening.

If he can replicate the success he experienced in Dallas with a new team, Moore will likely continue to be a popular name as head coaching vacancies arise around the league.

As for the Cowboys, the team will likely be looking for a coordinator who can bring Prescott back to the Pro Bowl. After reaching the Pro Bowl in two of his first three seasons, Prescott has not won the honor in the past four seasons. Injuries have played a big part in that, and Prescott has done well on the floor.

Still, the Cowboys and Moore felt the need to make changes. Whoever replaces Moore in Dallas will be under a lot of pressure and will be under immediate pressure to perform. Jones has shown patience with McCarthy, but generally isn’t afraid to shake things up, especially if the new offensive coordinator falls short of expectations.

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