The Dallas Cowboys hired Scott Linehan as passing game coordinator and offensive play caller, according to ESPN.
Linehan is the Cowboys’ third offensive play caller in as many years. Offensive coordinator Bill Callahan called the plays last season.
A source told ESPN that Linehan, the former Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator, participated in the Cowboys’ team meetings on Monday. However, the team has not made an announcement.
Callahan has been the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator and offensive line coach the last two seasons. He reportedly would not be in favor of losing his duties as play caller. He has one more year left on his contract.
Before Callahan called plays, head coach Jason Garrett had that responsibility from 2007-12.
Linehan was the Lions’ offensive coordinator from 2009-13. Detroit has one of the most productive passing games in the league, led by quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Calvin Johnson.
In 2005, Linehan worked with Garrett for a year with the Miami Dolphins as the offensive coordinator under head coach Nick Saban. Garrett was Miami’s quarterbacks coach.
Last year, the Cowboys’ offense ranked fifth in scoring at 27.4 points per game but its 5,461 yards gained was the fewest by the team since 2005.
Quarterback Tony Romo had 31 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Wide receiver Dez Bryant had his second-straight 1,000-yard season and 13 touchdowns to earn his first Pro Bowl selection. Running back DeMarco Murray was the first Cowboy to gain more than 1,000 rushing yards since 2006.
Late in the season, the Cowboys changed their procedure for relaying plays to Romo. Instead of receiving the plays directly from Callahan, they were relayed to Garrett, who could then change the play if necessary.