Cowboys request interview with Kellen Moore and here's why he's the likeliest candidate for vacant head coaching job

The Dallas Cowboys are putting in a request to interview Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. 

Moore, who played quarterback for the Cowboys and coached quarterbacks before being promoted to offensive coordinator, should be considered by fans as one of the likeliest candidates for the job. 

Here's why: There are two requirements the Cowboys have valued in the past and one of them is familiarity. Moore and Dallas have that. Like Jason Garrett before him, he's an offensive coordinator they truly respect. 

So much so that when McCarthy was hired to be head coach in 2020, the Cowboys let him know if he took the job, Moore would stay on board as offensive coordinator. That's a big condition to ask for a Super Bowl winning play-caller. 

As for that second requirement, Moore doesn't meet it; previous head coaching experience. However, league circles still consider the Eagles OC a rising coach and one that will receive a head coaching opportunity at some point.

And here's the thing: I'm not sure how many other candidates are out there that meet such criterion. Mike Vrabel and Bill Belichick are off the table. Jon Gruden's name is gaining steam but is he what the Cowboys are looking for? Pete Carroll is a strong candidate but he would be the oldest head coach in NFL history to serve a game and as such brings with him questions about the long-term future of the franchise. 

Dak Prescott is another important factor on this one. Though it's true he had his best career year right after Moore left the Cowboys, the $240 million quarterback was publicly upset when the offensive coordinator and the front office parted ways. The coach was an important piece of Prescott's development. 

A reunion with Moore is likely to receive Prescott's stamp of approval. 

Since leaving the Cowboys, Moore had an unsuccessful 2023 season with the Los Angeles Chargers before calling one of the best rushing offenses in football in 2024 with the help of superstar running back Saquon Barkley. 

After years of struggling to run the football efficiently, the Cowboys could be seriously interested in what Moore can bring to the table after the year he's had in Philly, a division rival no less. 

So far, the Cowboys are expected to interview Robert Saleh (former Jets HC), Leslie Frazier (Seahawks assistant head coach), and Moore. Though interest in Deion Sanders has been reported, there's no interview scheduled at this time. ESPN's Ed Werder reported both Jerry and Deion would be seriously interested in working together.