Skip Peete is one of two assistant coaches fired by the Dallas Cowboys this week.
AP
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The Dallas Cowboys are making staff changes after a season-ending loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Divisional Playoffs.
Coach Mike McCarthy, his job is safe for every owner Jerry Jonesdecided to part ways with six coaches, including linebackers coach Skip Beattie, senior defensive assistant/linefields coach George Edwardsoffensive line coach Joe Philbin, assistant defensive line coach Leon Lett, assistant coach Rob Davis, and quality control analytics coach Kyle Valero.
They were all members of McCarthy’s initial team when he was hired in 2020.
“We thank these guys for their hard work, dedication, and contributions to the Cowboys. Each of them represents our team and our organization at a high, professional level with a high degree and commitment to making our team better,” McCarthy said. , along with the experiences we all went through together. This is the hardest part of the job and we wish them nothing but the best.”
A few other coaches whose contracts expire at the end of the 2022 season could also be let go, depending on the source.
Edwards’ departure potentially makes defensive pass game coordinator Joe Witt Jr. the favorite internally to replace Dan Quinn as defensive coordinator if he takes a head coaching job.
Quinn is a major candidate with the Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts.
Beatty’s departure didn’t seem to bode well for the future of Ezekiel Elliott’s comeback. The two have a close relationship through Elliott’s agent Rocky Arsenault.
It makes sense that they would keep Betty if they were to keep Elliott, who is expected to make $10.9 million in 2023.
The Cowboys will at least ask Elliott to take a pay cut. But the team could save nearly $5 million by releasing him.
Philbin had a long history with McCarthy. He previously served as McCarthy’s offensive coordinator at Green Bay during two different stints, first from 2007-11 and then again in 2018. He returned to the Packers after two seasons as an assistant head coach/offensive line for the Indianapolis Colts (2016-17) and four seasons as head coach for the Miami Dolphins (2012-15).
Philbin originally joined the Packers on February 10, 2003 as an assistant offensive line coach, and spent 2004-05 as an assistant offensive line coach, 2006 as an offensive line coach. He was promoted to offensive coordinator in January 2007.
McCarthy is severing long-standing ties with Davis, a longtime NFL deep snapper (1993-2008) and former player and player engagement director with the Packers (2008-17).
Lett, a former Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman who won three Super Bowl titles and earned two Pro Bowl berths during his 10-year career with the club, has been with the team as an assistant defensive line coach since 2011.
This story was originally published Jan 25, 2023 7:46 PM.