Cowboys Coach Jason Garrett Trends As More Coaching Changes Expected After Browns Fire Freddie Kitchens

The Cleveland Browns wasted no time firing Freddie Kitchens as its head coach after just one year directing the team. The Browns finished the season with a 6-10 record after a 33-23 loss on Sunday to a Cincinnati Bengals team that had won just one game this season prior to Sunday.

The Browns entered the 2019 season with high expectations after building a wealth of talent and a surprisingly-improved campaign in 2018. Quarterback Baker Mayfield returned after a successful rookie season, Odell Beckham Jr. was brought in as a star wide receiver to complement his college buddy Jarvis Landry, and Nick Chubb looked to be the answer at running back.

However, it wasn't enough for the Browns organization.

"I would like to thank Freddie for his dedication and efforts this past season," Browns general manager John Dorsey said on NFL.com. "We are disappointed in our results and feel a change is necessary. Freddie is a good man and good football coach. We wish he and his family nothing but success."

Other teams possibly making moves quickly include the Dallas Cowboys, as Jason Garrett won just three NFC East titles in 10 seasons at the helm. The Cowboys beat just one team this season that had a winning record.

Jason Garrett Dallas Cowboys
Head coach Jason Garrett of the Dallas Cowboys walks across the field after beating the Washington Redskins 47-16 in the game at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images

Twitter poked fun at Garrett, saying the 47-16 win over Washington on Sunday was his last as a Dallas Cowboys coach. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones did not speculate after the game on Garrett, whose contract expires this Wednesday after not getting renewed in the offseason.

Jerry Jones continued to praise HC Jason Garrett when I said it sounds like he’s not shutting the door on him, he told me “there’s no doors shut here tonight. None.” But he also told us “I can see myself making a lot of changes in a lot of areas. The times call for that” we wait.

— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) December 30, 2019

One Twitter user said "I will remember Jason Garret wasting the most talented offensive unit the cowboys have had this decade."

I will remember Jason Garret wasting the most talented offensive unit the cowboys have had this decade

— Matthew Thomas (@Mthomas9123) December 30, 2019

Waiting on the news that Jason Garret is fired pic.twitter.com/LAdxy7uF5z

— Instagram: @_MrMakeItHappen_ (@MrMake1tHappen) December 30, 2019

Jason garret hiding from Jerry pic.twitter.com/rVL2vpjQbN

— Jacob Rather (@RatherJacob) December 30, 2019

After 9 Disappointing seasons i hope jerry jones announces he has FIRED jason garret !! Not "will not renew contract" or "mutually part ways" fuck his feelings

— 𝓐𝓭𝓻𝓲𝓪𝓷 ⚰️ (@a_hooligan16) December 30, 2019

Waiting for that “Dallas Cowboys have released Jason Garret” Notification

— Savage__hulk (@LuisGerardo1116) December 30, 2019

Here are the other coaches around the league who could face departures, or teams looking to fill spots already vacated, per ESPN.

  • Washington Redskins — fired Jay Gruden after starting 0-5 in 2019
  • Carolina Panthers — fired Ron Rivera after 5-7 start and losing four straight games
  • Dallas Cowboys — Jason Garrett failed to make the playoffs after dismal 8-8 season and is not expected to return
  • Jacksonville Jaguars — Doug Marrone rumored to be fired after Sunday game
  • New York Giants — Pat Shurmur had back-to-back 5-11 seasons
  • Cleveland Browns — fired Freddie Kitchens on Sunday

Coaches on the hot seat for the 2020 season

  • Los Angeles Chargers — Anthony Lynn will get at least one more season in the Chargers' new stadium
  • Atlanta Falcons — The club announced Dan Quinn would be back in 2020 despite missing playoffs two-straight seasons
  • New York Jets — Adam Gase will get some leeway after a disappointing first season with the Jets

Uncommon Knowledge

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About the writer


Scott McDonald is a Newsweek deputy night editor based in Cape Coral, Florida. His focus is assigning and writing stories across all topics, from news to politics, business, weather, sports and international news. Scott joined Newsweek in 2018 after a lengthy career of print journalism in Texas, including The Dallas Morning News, where he was a sportswriter, and he's a voter for the Heisman Trophy. He has been a newspaper editor-in-chief and also a newspaper publisher. He is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin. You can get in touch with Scott by emailing s.mcdonald@newsweek.com. Languages: English

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