The Cowboys are tied for first in the NFC East with a 4-1 record, but even that fast start doesn’t mean it won’t be a tumultuous offseason in Dallas. Star offensive players Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray are playing on expiring deals and are certain to be angling for new, expensive contracts. And while both Bryant and Murray could conceivably start (and complete) negotiations in-season, the same can’t be said for head coach Jason Garrett, whose contract also is up after 2014. As Cowboys owner Jerry Jones tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), any extension talks with Garrett will wait until the season has concluded.
Back in August, Jones conveyed the same thoughts, saying that while a Garrett extension was very much on the table, it would have to wait until after the season. In essence, Jones was content with his head coach leading the team as a “lame duck.” Given that Garrett, 48, had a pedestrian 29-27 record (with no playoff appearances) heading into 2014, it was probably fair to force him to prove himself before earning a new deal.
However, the Cowboys hot start could have changed Jones’ mind, and forced him to reconsider extending Garrett during the season. Specifically, Rapoport asked Jones if a Cowboys win over the Seahawks today would be enough for the two sides to start talks — the answer was an emphatic “no.” If Dallas is able to sustain its current success, and even win a playoff game, Garrett will certainly be in line for a nice payday, either from the Cowboys, or from another team.