FRISCO, Texas –Last week, with the Cowboys officially eliminated from playoff contention, team owner/general manager Jerry Jones said head coach Jason Garrett's job "is not at issue here at all."
Tuesday, with the season now complete, Jones reiterated that Garrett will indeed return next season.
"It's not even a thought for me. I do like the fact that we've invested, if you will," Jones said on 105.3 The Fan. "We've got several years of Jason evolving in this profession, in the NFL. "There's no question that familiarity with teams that we're playing, especially in our division, is a big plus. You pay a price when you make a change at the head coach. You pay some price if you make a change at any position coach situation."
As he said last week, Jones repeated that the Cowboys will likely see turnover on Garrett's staff. Some assistant coaches have expiring contracts.
Jones was asked if he would like offensive coordinator Scott Linehan and defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli to return next season. Both signed contract extensions last offseason.
"We've got a lot to talk about this week. The answer's yes," Jones said.
The Cowboys finished the season 9-7, one game out of the NFC wild-card race, a year after clinching the top overall playoff seed with a 13-3 record. The team went 3-3 during running back Ezekiel Elliott's suspension in November and December and were eliminated by Seattle on Christmas Eve in Elliott's return.
Many times in recent years, Jones has spoken about the importance of continuity on a coaching staff. He's excited about the progress of the defense and the foundation of the offense, including the promise of second-year quarterback Dak Prescott. But he and Garrett recognize the team must take a step forward in all aspects in order to get back to the postseason next year.
"I think we're in a good spot with Jason," Jones said. "He certainly has the mentality of doing things differently, not just to be doing them differently, but basically recognizing that we have got some things that we need to do differently."
