How Much Must Jason Garrett Accomplish to be “Safe”?

The Dallas Cowboys will face some uncertainty this offseason but one thing’s for sure: Jason Garrett will be the head coach in 2018. Whether the fans think that’s the correct call or not, that’s how it will be. Beyond this year though, that’s something we don’t know.

Jerry Jones has made comments to the media saying that Garrett is not on the hot seat. However, I’m not buying it. The Cowboys failed in 2017, and there should be no excuse for them. Not even the key injuries. After all, didn’t the Eagles lose Carson Wentz and more key players? They taught this team a lesson.

Sure, Jerry’s comments make it seem like Garrett’s safe, but in the NFL listening to what an owner has to say and take it as an absolute fact isn’t really the way to go. If the Cowboys have another disappointing year in 2018, Garrett’s probably gone.

The NFL is a very intense league. 2014 was a great year for Dallas and everyone was fine with the coaching staff, only to be completely fed up with it in 2015. Then 2016 happened and Garrett was named the NFL’s Coach of the Year. Just a year later, lots of Cowboys’ fans are ready to move on.

That’s the way it works. Naturally, Cowboys Nation is a bit afraid of ending up in a similar situation as the Cincinnati Bengals with their coach, Marvin Lewis. They always seem to be close, but they end up not doing their job to finish the season.

I’d dare say that if the Cowboys open the season losing a ton of games, we could even see the front office firing Jason Garrett midseason. I know it sounds extreme, but it happened to Wade Phillips, who knows what could happen this year.

But, Jason was given a chance. He has the opportunity to turn things around.

The interesting question is: how much does he have to do?

If they miss the playoffs once again, I don’t know how they feel comfortable with this coaching staff heading into 2019. Getting to the playoffs is a must for Garrett if he wants to stay coaching the Cowboys.

What happens if they get to the playoffs as a Wildcard team, though? What happens if they’re able to play in January but end up being one-and-done? Do they need to get to the Super Bowl? Obviously, these are tough questions that Jerry & Co. will have to think about once the season begins.

It may sound like too much, but if they don’t at least get to the NFC Championship… what will change in the future that will get this team to win it all? It’s hard to imagine it will be the case, but it isn’t crazy to think of this season as the last chance for Jason Garrett.

However you feel about the coaches, it’s only fair to admit that Garrett (as well as Scott Linehan and Rod Marinelli) should be in danger of losing their jobs. Let’s see what’s in store for them next season.