Jones Says Garrett’s Job Is Safe

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Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said that coach Jason Garrett’s job is not on the line this year.

The Cowboys are 21-19 and have not made the playoffs under Garrett. That includes consecutive 8-8 marks the past two seasons.

“Everything I’m thinking about is not only about how to beat the (New York) Giants when we open up (the season), but also about what our future is in a plus manner or in a positive way with Jason,” Jones said during a press conference Saturday as the Cowboys opened training camp. “I look to the future with Jason, not just through his contract that we’re sitting here with right now. I think he has a couple of years left on his contract, but that’s not a thought.

“It is not what is implied when you say, ‘This is an Armageddon year for him.’ It’s not that with me.”

Jones said the last two seasons have been disappointing. He fired defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and encouraged Garrett’s brother, John, to leave his job as tight ends coach/passing coordinator to become the Tampa Bay Buccaneers receivers coach. Jones also handed play-calling duties over to offensive coordinator Bill Callahan.

Still, Jones said Garrett would not lose his job if the Cowboys missed the playoffs a fourth straight year.

“It’s a mistake. That’s not right,” he said. “He’s been directly involved in the coaching of (quarterback Tony) Romo for six years. When he got here, Romo had never had the same guy two years in a row. We’ve got to take advantage of that. His safety-net presence for what we’re doing not only as a team but on offense is a big part of the plan. It gives us a real advantage.”

Garrett is the Cowboys’ seventh coach under Jones, who has owned the team since 1989. No Cowboys coach has lasted beyond five years during Jones’ tenure.

“I can tell you that it’s very comforting to have Jason as our head coach,” Jones said.