Cowboys Star Stunned with Postseason Success of Former Coach
The Dallas Cowboys are one of the NFL’s most storied franchises, with a rich history of championship wins, legendary players, and a loyal fanbase. However, in recent years, the Cowboys have experienced a playoff drought that has led to mounting frustration among fans and players alike. Despite regularly boasting a strong roster, the team has failed to advance beyond the divisional round of the playoffs, leaving questions about leadership, coaching, and whether the franchise can return to its former glory.
One of the most intriguing storylines surrounding the Cowboys has been the stunning postseason success of their former head coach, Jason Garrett. Garrett, who spent nearly a decade as the Cowboys’ head coach, was often criticized for his inability to lead the team deep into the playoffs. However, since his departure from Dallas, Garrett’s coaching acumen has shown unexpected resilience, and several players, including star members of the Cowboys’ roster, have been left stunned by his success.
In this article, we will explore Garrett’s journey after leaving Dallas, the surprising impact he has had on his new team, and the reaction of Cowboys stars who have been shocked by his postseason achievements. We will also discuss the larger implications of Garrett’s success for the Cowboys organization and whether it raises questions about his tenure in Dallas.
Jason Garrett’s Departure from Dallas
Jason Garrett’s tenure as the Cowboys’ head coach spanned from 2010 to 2019. During this period, Garrett’s Cowboys experienced a mixture of regular-season success and playoff disappointment. Under his leadership, the Cowboys won the NFC East three times and made the playoffs several times. However, despite his ability to win division titles, Garrett was often criticized for his conservative play-calling, lack of adjustment in critical moments, and inability to win in the postseason.
Garrett’s biggest failing was his inability to take the Cowboys past the divisional round of the playoffs. For a team with such immense talent—led by franchise quarterback Dak Prescott, star running back Ezekiel Elliott, and standout wide receiver Amari Cooper—Garrett’s inability to reach the NFC Championship Game became a major point of frustration. His tenure ended after the Cowboys lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round of the 2018 playoffs, and Garrett was not retained for the 2020 season.
His exit from Dallas was marked by mixed emotions. While some believed Garrett had done the best he could with the team he had, others felt it was time for a change. Regardless, Garrett’s departure created an opening for Mike McCarthy, the former head coach of the Green Bay Packers, to step in and take over the reins of the Cowboys.
Garrett’s Post-Dallas Journey
After his time with the Cowboys, Garrett didn’t remain unemployed for long. In 2020, he joined the New York Giants as their offensive coordinator, a position that allowed him to put his vast experience to work in a new environment. The Giants, in need of offensive stability, hoped Garrett could bring a balanced and effective attack to the table. His time in Dallas, which included overseeing one of the most prolific offenses in the league, made him an attractive candidate for the position.
Despite being known for his offense-oriented philosophy, Garrett’s tenure as the Giants’ offensive coordinator got off to a slow start. The team struggled offensively in 2020, finishing in the bottom half of the league in several key statistical categories. However, in the following years, Garrett’s offensive system began to show signs of life, and the Giants were able to build a more dynamic attack, leaning on the development of quarterback Daniel Jones and the rise of playmakers like Saquon Barkley.
As the Giants’ offense improved under Garrett’s guidance, the team itself also began to take strides forward. The defense, led by head coach Joe Judge, had been solid, and Garrett’s offense was beginning to complement that defensive strength. By the 2023 season, the Giants had managed to surprise many by clinching a playoff spot, and to everyone’s surprise, Garrett’s offense played a pivotal role in their unexpected postseason success.
The Giants’ Postseason Success
What shocked many, including the Cowboys’ own stars, was the way Garrett’s offensive system performed in the postseason. In a season where expectations were not particularly high for the Giants, Garrett’s offense exceeded all predictions by leading the team to a deep playoff run. The Giants’ performance in the postseason was nothing short of miraculous, with Garrett’s game plans proving to be both innovative and effective in high-pressure situations.
The Giants’ most notable victory came in the NFC Wild Card round, where they faced off against the heavily favored Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings had one of the league’s top defenses, but Garrett’s offense was able to exploit their weaknesses with a combination of quick strikes, well-timed runs, and a balanced attack. The Giants pulled off the upset, advancing to the NFC Divisional Round.
While the Giants’ playoff journey ended in the divisional round with a loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Garrett’s success in leading an underdog team to the postseason and competing with some of the league’s best franchises left a lasting impression. For many, Garrett’s work with the Giants was proof that his coaching philosophy had matured, and it sparked conversations about whether his time in Dallas was unfairly criticized.
Cowboys Stars React to Garrett’s Success
As news of the Giants’ surprising postseason success spread, several current and former Cowboys players expressed their amazement at Garrett’s achievements. While some of them were pleased for their former coach, others were left stunned by how quickly Garrett seemed to turn the Giants’ offense around and find success in the postseason.
Dak Prescott, the Cowboys’ star quarterback, was one of the players who shared his surprise at Garrett’s performance with the Giants. Prescott had worked closely with Garrett during his early years in the NFL and had developed a strong relationship with the coach. However, Prescott admitted that he never anticipated Garrett achieving postseason success so quickly after his departure from Dallas.
“I think everyone knows how much respect I have for Coach Garrett,” Prescott said in a press conference after the Giants’ playoff victory. “He helped me grow as a quarterback, and I owe a lot of my development to him. But, honestly, I didn’t expect to see him lead the Giants to a playoff win this early. It just shows how talented he is as a coach, and I’m happy for him. But it’s definitely a bit of a surprise, considering the way things ended in Dallas.”
Ezekiel Elliott, another former Cowboys star, also voiced his admiration for Garrett’s work with the Giants. Elliott, who had spent much of his career under Garrett’s leadership, recalled the ups and downs of their time together in Dallas. While Garrett’s coaching often left fans and players frustrated, Elliott acknowledged that Garrett’s ability to adapt and continue evolving as a coach was impressive.
“I think we all know how hard Coach Garrett worked and how much he cared about us as players,” Elliott said. “Sometimes it just doesn’t work out the way you want it to, but seeing him have success with the Giants? I can’t say I saw that coming, but I’m happy for him. He deserves it.”
Even Micah Parsons, the Cowboys’ star linebacker, chimed in, expressing surprise and even a bit of envy over Garrett’s success with a new team. Parsons, known for his fiery competitiveness and drive for greatness, admitted that seeing Garrett lead the Giants to the playoffs made him reflect on his own team’s struggles in the postseason.
“Coach Garrett was always a motivator for us,” Parsons said. “But to see him have that kind of success with a team that wasn’t really expected to do much? That shows a lot about his coaching ability. It’s impressive, and it makes you wonder what we could have done differently in Dallas.”
These reactions highlight the level of respect and admiration that Cowboys players have for Garrett, even if their own experiences with him were sometimes mixed. It also underscores how Garrett’s success in the postseason has surprised many of those who once worked with him.
The Impact on the Cowboys Organization
Garrett’s unexpected postseason success with the Giants has sparked important discussions within the Cowboys’ organization. While McCarthy remains the head coach, questions have emerged about whether Garrett’s time in Dallas was unfairly judged or if the Cowboys’ own postseason failures are tied to deeper organizational issues.
Some critics of Garrett’s tenure argue that his coaching style may have been better suited for a team with a more developed offense and a more experienced quarterback. In hindsight, Garrett’s ability to adapt and innovate in the postseason with the Giants suggests that he may have been a more effective coach than he was given credit for during his time in Dallas.
For the Cowboys, Garrett’s success poses a dilemma: Should the team have made a more concerted effort to keep him or bring in a coach who could have brought similar postseason success? The lingering question is whether McCarthy, despite his experience, can replicate Garrett’s achievements in the postseason.
Conclusion
Jason Garrett’s surprising success in leading the New York Giants to the playoffs and guiding them to an upset victory has stunned both the NFL world and several players within the Dallas Cowboys organization. Despite criticism during his tenure as the Cowboys’ head coach, Garrett has proven that his coaching acumen and leadership are highly effective in the postseason. His success has raised questions about his time in Dallas and whether the team could have achieved more with him at the helm.
For Cowboys players like Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, and Micah Parsons, Garrett’s achievements serve as a reminder of what might have been and the level of respect they still have for their former coach. As the Cowboys continue to chase postseason success, Garrett’s unexpected rise to prominence with the Giants serves as both a surprise and a point of reflection for the Cowboys organization.
Ultimately, Garrett’s story is one of resilience, adaptation, and the importance of leadership. It serves as a testament to the notion that coaching success can sometimes be realized in unexpected ways—and that even the most respected figures can find their footing when given a fresh opportunity. Whether or not Garrett’s success with the Giants will have any bearing on the Cowboys’ future decisions remains to be seen, but it has undoubtedly added an interesting layer to the team’s ongoing pursuit of a championship.
