Why Hiring Kellen Moore Would Be the Fastest Way to Get the Cowboys’ Offense Back on Track
The Dallas Cowboys, a team with a storied history of success in the NFL, have experienced both triumph and tribulation in recent years. Despite possessing an enviable roster filled with talent on both sides of the ball, the Cowboys’ offense has struggled to live up to its potential. With Super Bowl aspirations on the horizon, the offensive unit has shown flashes of brilliance, but inconsistency has held them back from reaching their full capabilities. In the face of this ongoing challenge, one name has emerged as a beacon of hope: Kellen Moore.
Kellen Moore, the former Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator who was let go after the 2022 season, has already demonstrated his ability to develop and run high-powered offenses. His departure from Dallas, followed by a move to the Los Angeles Chargers as their offensive coordinator, has only fueled speculation about a potential reunion between Moore and the Cowboys. Given the current state of the Cowboys’ offense and the potential for Moore to bring the team back to prominence, hiring him would be the fastest way to revitalize the offense and guide them back to the postseason with confidence.
The Cowboys’ Offensive Struggles: A Brief Overview
To understand why Kellen Moore’s return would be the swiftest solution to the Cowboys’ offensive woes, we must first examine the current state of their offensive unit. The Cowboys have an explosive roster filled with talent, from quarterback Dak Prescott to running back Tony Pollard and wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup. However, despite their individual strengths, the Cowboys’ offense has often failed to find consistency and rhythm.
Under head coach Mike McCarthy, the Cowboys’ offense has been plagued by a combination of poor play calling, lack of adaptability, and inability to execute under pressure. While McCarthy has had success in the past, including a Super Bowl victory with the Green Bay Packers, his style of offense has not always translated well to Dallas. The Cowboys’ offensive scheme has frequently looked stale, predictable, and uninspiring, particularly in high-stakes moments like crucial games late in the season.
Despite the presence of a top-tier quarterback in Dak Prescott, the offense often struggles to produce points when it matters most. The team’s inability to perform in the red zone, poor decision-making at critical moments, and a lack of creative play calling have been recurring issues.
This is where Kellen Moore enters the conversation. His history of running innovative, fast-paced, and dynamic offenses gives him the potential to address many of the Cowboys’ most pressing issues.
Kellen Moore’s Success with the Cowboys’ Offense
When Kellen Moore took over as the offensive coordinator for the Cowboys in 2019, he brought with him a refreshing perspective on how to approach the modern NFL offense. Under Moore’s guidance, the Cowboys’ offense immediately flourished. In his first year as offensive coordinator, the team finished with the No. 1 ranked offense in terms of total yards and points per game, and quarterback Dak Prescott set career-highs in passing yards and touchdowns. Moore’s system emphasized speed, tempo, and explosive plays, making the offense difficult to stop.
One of Moore’s most significant accomplishments was his ability to adapt to the strengths of his players. He leveraged Prescott’s ability to make quick decisions and utilize his mobility, creating a balanced attack that mixed high-percentage passing with an effective running game. Moore also developed a close relationship with Prescott, making them an ideal tandem in the Cowboys’ offensive scheme.
While Moore’s tenure as the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator ended after the 2022 season, his impact was undeniable. He had a knack for getting the most out of the offense, keeping opposing defenses on their toes with his creativity and ability to adapt to different situations. His offense often looked fresh and unpredictable, giving Dallas a competitive edge. Moore was also known for his ability to adjust in real time, especially in the second half of games, something that was not always present under McCarthy’s leadership.
In 2022, Moore’s offense ranked in the top 10 in total yards and points, even though the Cowboys were still working through some inconsistencies at the quarterback position. That year, Prescott missed several games due to injury, but Moore managed to keep the offense effective with backup quarterback Cooper Rush. Moore’s ability to adapt to his personnel and maintain a productive offense, regardless of the quarterback situation, speaks volumes about his versatility as a play caller.
Why Hiring Kellen Moore Makes Sense for the Cowboys Right Now
- Familiarity with the Roster and Personnel
One of the primary reasons why hiring Kellen Moore would be the fastest way to get the Cowboys’ offense back on track is his familiarity with the team. Moore spent four years as the offensive coordinator in Dallas and knows the personnel, strengths, and weaknesses of the roster inside and out. The relationship he built with Dak Prescott and other key players, such as Tony Pollard and CeeDee Lamb, would allow him to hit the ground running, making the transition seamless.
Having worked with Prescott for several years, Moore knows how to maximize Prescott’s skill set. Moore’s offense is designed to play to the quarterback’s strengths, using quick decision-making and mobility to open up passing lanes and keep the defense guessing. This familiarity would help Moore quickly adapt his system back into place, minimizing the learning curve and avoiding the growing pains that often come with a new offensive coordinator.
- Dynamic Play Calling and Scheme Innovation
Kellen Moore’s creative play calling and offensive innovation were key to his success with the Cowboys. Under Moore, Dallas often employed a fast-paced offense, mixing in play-action passes, RPO (run-pass option) concepts, and up-tempo drives to keep opposing defenses off balance. Moore was also known for his willingness to take calculated risks, which paid off in the form of big plays and scoring drives.
Given the Cowboys’ current roster, Moore’s offense would be a perfect fit. Prescott thrives in an offense that allows him to operate in rhythm and take advantage of play-action passes, while Pollard is a dynamic playmaker who can be utilized in various roles. Lamb’s ability to stretch the field and make plays after the catch would also be maximized in Moore’s system. Additionally, Moore’s offense would help the Cowboys establish a more consistent run game, something that has been hit-or-miss in recent seasons.
- Consistency and Adaptability
One of the challenges the Cowboys have faced under McCarthy’s leadership is a lack of consistency in the offensive approach. There have been times when the offense has been productive, but it has often failed to maintain that level of play throughout the entire season. Moore’s offenses, on the other hand, were consistently competitive and adaptable. He was able to adjust the game plan based on the opposing defense, making his offense more difficult to predict.
For a team like the Cowboys, which is built to win now, consistency is crucial. Bringing Moore back would give the offense a sense of stability, knowing that they have a coordinator who has consistently delivered results. Moore’s ability to adapt to different defensive schemes and adjust mid-game would also be invaluable in high-pressure situations, especially in the postseason.
- Proven Success with Quarterbacks
Dak Prescott is undoubtedly the leader of the Cowboys’ offense, and under Kellen Moore, Prescott flourished. As mentioned earlier, Moore helped Prescott reach new heights, particularly in terms of his production as a passer. The quarterback-coordinator relationship is one of the most important aspects of an offense, and Moore has proven that he can build an offense around Prescott’s strengths. Whether it’s quick throws, deep passes, or designed runs, Moore knows how to keep defenses on their heels while getting the most out of Prescott’s abilities.
Additionally, Moore’s success with backup quarterback Cooper Rush demonstrated his ability to develop quarterbacks and adjust his offense based on personnel. This adaptability would be a major asset in ensuring the Cowboys remain competitive even if injuries strike, something that has been a concern in recent seasons.
- Maximizing the Potential of the Receiving Corps
CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup, and Brandin Cooks are all incredibly talented wide receivers, and they have the potential to be one of the most dynamic trios in the league. However, the Cowboys have struggled to consistently unlock their full potential. Under Kellen Moore, the Cowboys’ receiving corps would thrive in an offense that emphasizes the quick passing game, downfield routes, and the ability to create mismatches in the passing game.
Moore’s use of motion and creative route combinations would allow these receivers to get open more frequently and create explosive plays. Lamb, in particular, would benefit from Moore’s offense, as he is a player who thrives when given the freedom to make plays after the catch. By bringing Moore back, the Cowboys would be able to maximize the potential of their receiving corps and create a more dynamic passing game.