Jones: Garrett will coach in NFL in ’20

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is a defendant of Jason Garrett’s credentials.

The 10-year head coach, Jones said Tuesday morning, is qualified to lead a team on a Super Bowl run.

He’s one of the smartest and hardworking coaches around, Jones added.

But Jones did not establish that those qualities will be enough to extend Garrett’s Cowboys’ tenure past a contract that expires after this season.

“You can say a guy that’s been coaching 10 years should have a Super Bowl,” Jones told Dallas radio station 105.3 The Fan in his regular appearance. “Do you want to list the thousands of coaches that don’t have their Super Bowl or equivalent who have been coaching 10 years?

“And do you want the list how many number there are who have multiple Super Bowls and have been coaching 10 years?

“My point is it’s a high, high bar. But there are qualified people. Jason really is one of them.

“In my opinion, Jason Garrett will be coaching in the NFL next year.”

Cue the speculation. Jones didn’t specify in his comments whether Garrett’s NFL role would be with the Cowboys next season.

Conjecture about the coach’s status amplified following the owner’s criticism of Dallas’ Nov. 24 loss to the Patriots, in which Jones said the Cowboys were outcoached and the reason they lost was “glaring.”

NFL Network reported earlier that day that the Giants would be interested in Garrett should the Cowboys not retain him.

Jones hears the rumors and sees the odds listed for who will lead his Cowboys in 2020.

“I read something the other day that said, ‘With Jerry’s money, he ought to go at it whatever it takes to hire a coach to win the Super Bowl,’ ” Jones said. “If I knew who could win a Super Bowl, you might think like that. The problem is you don’t know who can guarantee you a Super Bowl.”

For 2019, at least, Jones has made clear he believes Garrett gives his team the best chance to win.

The Cowboys have lost six of their last nine games, entering “Thursday Night Football” as a 6-6 team. But they remain atop the NFC East with a onegame lead on the Eagles.

Jones said after a disappointing Thanksgiving loss to the Bills that he would not fire Garrett during the season. He’s aiming to prompt a fairytale Super Bowl run this season, he said, and without Garrett, “we have zero chance.”

Tuesday morning, he elaborated on why.

“First of all, Jason Garrett’s a good coach. Let’s start right there,” Jones said. “He knows this team better than anybody.”

Garrett offers a safety net, the owner said, for young coaches like offensive coordinator Kellen Moore.

“I’m glad to have him,” Jones added. “He is the guy for the job.”

Despite the rumors of Garrett’s lame-duck status, Jones said he does not believe the coach has lost the team.

The message across the Cowboys locker room was similar this week, quarterback Dak Prescott saying Monday he knows Garrett’s message is getting through because “I talk to each and every one of these individuals and the head coach’s message is the way we’re approaching each and every day,” Prescott said. “It’s about taking one game at a time and being accountable.”

Still, Jones’ tone Tuesday morning repeatedly returned to the joys of post-Cowboys life for former head coaches. Jones reminded fans Tuesday that Garrett’s predecessor, Wade Phillips, went on to coordinate a Super Bowl-winning defense for the Broncos.

Last week, Jones said he defines success only as a Super Bowl title and wants Garrett to “get it done.”

On Tuesday, Jones said he doesn’t view Garrett’s case for a next contract as dependent on ending the Cowboys’ 23year conference championship game drought or another specific postseason accomplishment.

“There is no bar,” Jones said. “When I say that, I don’t mean there’s not a level or a point where I determine it’s just not working or it’s working. But there’s many things, there’s boxes to be checked.

“Jason Garrett checks a lot of positive boxes when you start looking at head coaches and the aptitude and quality of coach.”