With the Cowboys sliding to 4-11 and owner Jerry Jones not too long ago calling out the coaching staff for not winning enough games with quarterback Tony Romo out, some are now wondering whether Jones will fire Jason Garrett. Jones can do whatever he wants, but it wouldn’t be cheap to move on from Garrett.
As a free agent a year ago (technically), Garrett landed a five-year, $30 million contract to remain on the job. With four years left, the buyout for firing Garrett would be up to $24 million.
Jones and the Cowboys would get credit for any money Garrett earns elsewhere in coaching (and possibly in broadcasting). Alternatively, Garrett could make $6 million a year for four years to do not a damn thing.
The other reality for the Cowboys is that Jones and Garrett work well together, in that Jones wants to claim credit and otherwise pop off and Garrett doesn’t care about any of that. A new coach may not be as compliant as Garrett, making it harder for Jones to portray himself as the primary chef instead of sidecar passenger to a Jimmy Johnson or a Bill Parcells.