The Dallas Cowboys are headed for a top five pick this year after dealing with injuries to Dez Bryant and Tony Romo, but Jerry Jones may not make major changes to the coaching staff. Jason Garrett should be safe and heading into Week 17 the team has not yet decided to shut down Dez Bryant, who has been dealing with multiple injuries the past few weeks.
The Cowboys are 4-11 this season heading into Week 17 and while the team has been a disappointment overall, Jerry Jones said that he does not expect to make major changes. Some have speculated that Jason Garrett could be fired after the season, but it's hard to fault him with both Tony Romo and Dez Bryant dealing with injuries this season. Jones spoke on 105.3 The Fan this week about the team and said that he thinks the team is "closer" than what their record is, according to Todd Archer of ESPN.com.
Garrett just signed a contract extension for five years and $30 million, so it would not be cheap to fire him after the season. Pro Football Talk writes that the team would be on the hook for $24 million to fire Garrett, but it doesn't look like Jones is leaning in that direction. The biggest issue for the Cowboys this season was the loss of Tony Romo and that revealed a glaring weak spot at the backup QB position.
Jones could look at making a move this offseason to get a backup, as the team will have a high draft pick and there are a number of QBs declaring for the draft. Players like Paxton Lynch, Jared Goff, Connor Cook, Kevin Hogan and Cody Kessler are just some of the names that could be available. The injury to Romo showed that the Cowboys need to do a better job of developing a future replacement, as the combination of Matt Cassel and Brandon Weeden did not get things done.
According to NFL.com, the Cowboys could be interested in Robert Griffin III if he is released or traded by the Redskins for 2016. The Cowboys could bring in RG3 and develop him as a backup if the team opts to not go after a QB in the draft. Romo was finally placed on IR by the team and according to the Dallas Morning News, Romo could have another surgical procedure in the offseason to put a plate attached to his collarbone to help protect it from future injuries.
Speaking of injuries, the Cowboys have not yet decided to shut down Bryant yet for the season, as the wide receiver still could play in Week 17. Garrett said that the team is evaluating Bryant this week and will decide later whether or not to shut him down. Bryant missed last week while dealing with ankle and foot injuries and the team may want to be cautious with their star receiver moving forward. Kellen Moore is starting in Week 17 for the Cowboys and the team is in position to get one of the top picks in the NFL draft for 2016.
