Jerry Jones Hints that Dallas Cowboys HC Jason Garrett will Not Call Plays

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ESPNDallas.com

In his strongest comments yet about the Dallas Cowboys’ play-calling situation, owner and general manager Jerry Jones implied to reporters at the Senior Bowl that coach Jason Garrett would no longer be calling the team’s offensive plays and that offensive line coach/offensive coordinator Bill Callahan will take over that role.

Jones stopped short of making those announcements official, but did say that Garrett was fine with the decisions.

“It’s not a step back for Jason. It’s actually a step forward for Jason in my mind,” Jones said. ” … when he became the head coach, it was at my insistence that he continue to call the plays. It was not at Jason’s insistence. It is not a step back for the Cowboys or a step back individually for him to change the way we basically are putting our game plan together or are calling the plays on the offensive side of the ball. As you well know, differences in opinion can frankly be a step in a better direction.”

Jones said Garrett would work more on overall team issues, but will still be involved with the offense.

A high-ranking source told ESPN, however, that a final decision on whether Garrett will remain the Cowboys’ play-caller has not yet been made.

Callahan is the most experienced play caller on the staff, having served in that role under Jon Gruden in Oakland running the West Coast offense. Jones said some aspects of that offense could be used in coordination with Garrett’s timing-based system.

“I think you get that when you create more input, influence, whatever you want to call it …” Jones said. “If Bill Callahan has more influence — let’s make that assumption. If he does, then you will see more of some of the things that work for him in his coaching career.”