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Will McClay, vice president of player personnel, has previously turned down opportunities to leave the Dallas Cowboys. That hasn’t stopped his name from being mentioned as one of the NFL’s top general manager candidates. So the dance begins anew. According to sources, the Washington Commanders and Carolina Panthers have asked permission to talk with McClay about their general manager jobs.
McClay’s track record of success since taking over the Cowboys’ scouting department in 2014 is widely documented. Guard Zack Martin, defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, cornerback Byron Jones, quarterback Dak Prescott, running back Ezekiel Elliott, linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, cornerback Trevon Diggs, receiver CeeDee Lamb, linebacker Micah Parsons, and centre Tyler Biadasz are among the Pro Bowl players drafted during McClay’s tenure. He has supplemented his draft picks with solid free agent signings to help strengthen the basis of a squad that has won 12 games in each of the last three seasons and has only two losing records since 2014.
The Cowboys appreciate McClay’s job and accomplishments, but he will never be general manager in Dallas. Jerry Jones is the owner/general manager, while Stephen Jones is the executive vice president/director of player and personnel. McClay will have to look elsewhere if he wants to be completely in command. Is now the time?
