Now that the Cowboys decisively have been bounced from the playoffs with a 31-point loss at Minnesota, there are two key members of the coaching staff to watch over the coming days.
First, and most obviously, the status of Wade Phillips merits significant attention. The team holds an option for 2010, which means that owner Jerry Jones could decide to sever ties with no financial obligation of any kind to Phillips.
Jones and Phillips will be meeting today.
If Jones keeps Phillips, Jones surely would like to also keep offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, the man many believe will eventually succeed Phillips as the head coach of the Cowboys.
And that’s where Garrett can make things interesting, if Garrett so chooses.
The Buffalo Bills are still looking for a head coach, and Garrett’s name has emerged on the fringes of the Bills’ swinging-and-missing routine for candidates. If the Bills come calling today, Garrett might decide to see how it all plays out in Dallas before joining the “thanks” and “no thanks” chorus.
And if Jerry Jones thinks that he might lose Garrett, Jones might decide to just give Garrett the job now.
For that very reason, the Bills would be wise to wait for Jones to announce his decision on Phillips before making any overtures to Garrett -- and it also would be shrewd for Garrett’s handlers to let the Bills know ASAFP that Garrett is interested, but only if the Bills move quickly.