Getty Image / Sean Gardner
Almost a year ago the rumors really started flying about the possibility of Sean Payton becoming the next head coach of the Dallas Cowboys replacing Jason Garrett after what is now his ninth season in charge.
Thanks to the Cowboys sitting at 7-7 on the year and them yet again being an average football team the rumors of Garrett finally being fired and Payton perhaps taking over won’t completely die.
Dallas’ vice president Stephen Jones, however, is doing the best he can at putting out those flames. He was asked on Dallas’ 105.3 The Fan about the team reportedly reaching out to Payton through back channels, but said it’s untrue.
“That’s just untrue. Obviously we don’t comment on rumors like that. Obviously our focus right now is beating the Eagles. Certainly everyone knows what we think of Jason. I do think we’ve been criticized to a fault for what we do think of him. He just did a great job getting this team back on track yesterday and we’re focused on beating the Eagles.”
There is quite a bit to unpack in this short statement from Jones.
First of all, he starts his answer by saying the reports and rumors are ‘untrue,’ which is fine, but then he immediately follows that up by saying ‘we don’t comment on rumors like that.’ Well, what exactly does Jones think he’s doing as he’s speaking and commenting on said rumor?
Then, of course, Jones gives a vote of confidence to Garrett, which is something he has to do at this point as a playoff berth is still very much on the table. But, I think it may be physically impossible for anyone associated with the Cowboys in a professional role to say one bad word about Garrett.
Garrett is 79-63 since officially taking over in Dallas and has won exactly two playoff games during his tenure.