Michael Ainsworth/Associated Press

Cowboys Rumors: Kellen Moore Interviewing for Eagles' Head Coaching Job

Joseph Zucker

The Philadelphia Eagles are interviewing Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore as part of their search for a head coach, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

Eagles chairman Jeffrey Lurie announced Jan. 11 the franchise was moving on from Doug Pederson, ending his tenure after five seasons.

Moore has spent two years in his current role.

The Cowboys had one of the NFL's best offenses in 2019, finishing first in yards (431.5) and sixth in points (27.1). They fell off in both categories in 2020 thanks to the compound fracture and dislocation of Dak Prescott's right ankle, which limited him to five games.

Many wondered whether Moore would move on to coach his alma mater after Bryan Harsin left Boise State to coach Auburn. The Cowboys announced Jan. 2 they signed Moore to an extension, temporarily ending any speculation about his future.

The question for the 32-year-old and any other candidate on Philadelphia's radar is how attractive the Eagles' vacancy is.

Pederson's firing was widely viewed as Lurie choosing general manager Howie Roseman over his head coach. NFL Network's Jim Trotter wondered how much autonomy any new coach will have, given the Lurie/Roseman dynamic:

Then there's the Carson Wentz situation.

Wentz is coming off the worst year of his career, throwing for 2,620 yards, 16 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported Jan. 3 he was going to follow through on a trade request this offseason, though that may have changed since his relationship with Pederson was a driving force behind his discontent.

The Philadelphia Inquirer's Jeff McLane provided even greater detail, reporting how Wentz's "resistance to hard instruction made him lose faith from coaches, and an unwillingness to accept blame for his mistakes hurt him in the locker room."

Roseman clearly staked the franchise's future on the 28-year-old, something best symbolized by McLane's description of a life-size poster of Wentz adorning Roseman's office.

And should things reach a breaking point where the 2017 Pro Bowler absolutely has to go, he carries a $34.7 million salary-cap hit for 2021 and $31.2 million for 2022. His trade market is probably minimal, and releasing him outright would mean eating a lot of money ($59.1 million pre-June 1, per Spotrac).

Perhaps a new coaching staff will mean a new Wentz, too, but it's not an ideal atmosphere to inherit.

   

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