The Dallas Cowboys are playing like a team capable of finally making a significant run in the playoffs, and and their VP of Player Personnel Will McClay has been a top candidate for teams seeking a new GM over the last few years.
McClay has long been a most trusted Jerry Jones lieutenant and he is once again coveted by other NFL teams hoping to steal him from the Dallas Cowboys.
This season has been no different. The Washington Commanders and the Carolina Panthers asked for permission to speak with McClay, but on Friday Washington announced it was hiring longtime San Francisco 49ers assistant GM Adam Peters to oversee all personnel and roster decisions.
According to Sports Illustrated, McClay has played an instrumental role in assembling the current Cowboys roster, keeping key free agents and acquiring new talent from other teams and through the NFL Draft.
“McClay has been the Cowboys’ personnel boss since 2014.and has both enormous authority and respect inside the building – some might call it “de facto GM level” power,” SI wrote.
SI continued to explain how much influence Will McClay has inside of the Dallas Cowboys organization.
”Of course, Jerry Jones is officially the GM and son Stephen Jones is positioned next to him. But McClay – a master not only of judging football talent but also of keeping the varied factions and departments inside The Star pulling in the same direction, so much so that we’ve nicknamed him “The Unifier” – is so close to the Joneses that he’s almost considered “family.”
Dallas Cowboys Retain Will McClay And Jerry Jones Is Thrilled
On Friday, the Cowboys received major news about the future of McClay with the organization.
ESPN Cowboys reporter reported on X McClay would be staying in Dallas despite interview requests from Washington, Carolina and others.
“Vice President of Player Personnel Will McClay will remain with the Cowboys. Per a source, he will not interview with other teams. Washington and the Los Angeles Chargers had sought permission to meet with McClay. “He is very happy with being here,” the source said.
Will McClay has habitually turned down such offers in the past. But either way, Jones braced for the requests and more, including those for defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and other staffers from the Dallas Cowboys.
Jerry Jones is used to this becoming an annual tradition, but continues to retain one of his key confidants when it comes to personnel.
“We’ve received several (letters of request) already,” Jones said via 105.3 The Fan. “We’ve got a handful, and we might wind up with 15 or 20. We can’t be discouraged by that. It’s what happens when you have success. It’s part of it.”
According to the SI piece, it would take the perfect fit for McClay to leave Dallas and money isn’t a factor.
“In addition to his decision-making power, he is already well-compensated … in a GM-level way. So if he listens, it won’t be about money as much as it will be the desire to strike out on his own and run his own show,” SI wrote.
It’s clear Will McClay is happy with his role with the Dallas Cowboys — and in a year where the team will likely lose one of its top coaches in defensive coordinator Dan Quinn — Jones can rest easy that a key executive is staying in town.
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