The Many Roles of Jason Garrett: From Quarterback to Analyst
When reflecting on the arc of his career in professional football, Jason Garrett's journey offers a rich tapestry of roles and experiences that few in the sport can match. Beginning with his tenure as a quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys between 1993 and 1999, Garrett's career has been marked by both challenges and triumphs. During his time as a quarterback, he managed to lead the team to victories in six out of his nine starts, a commendable achievement for any player in the high-pressure world of NFL football.
Garrett's influence on the Cowboys, however, extended far beyond his time on the field. After hanging up his boots, he transitioned into coaching, taking up the role of offensive coordinator for the Cowboys from 2007 to 2010. His strategic acumen and understanding of the game soon propelled him to the head coach position in 2010, initially in an interim capacity before becoming the full-time head coach in 2011. Under his leadership, the Cowboys amassed an 85-67 record and made three playoff appearances—a testament to his coaching prowess.
During his tenure as head coach, Garrett was recognized for his abilities and was named the NFL Coach of the Year in 2016, further solidifying his stature in the league. Yet, it wasn't just his records that stood out. Garrett often spoke about the nature of leadership and communication in the sport, highlighting its multifaceted demands. As he succinctly put it, “When I say communicating and leading, it's not only to your staff and to your team, it's also leading upward in the organization...” This perspective underscores the multifarious layers of leadership required in the NFL, a fact he understood and navigated adeptly.
Learning from notable personalities is often a hallmark of great leaders, and Garrett is no exception. He credits much of his growth to his interactions with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. “I learned a tremendous amount from Jerry Jones during my time there as a player, as an assistant coach, and as a head coach,” Garrett shared, emphasizing the years of experience and knowledge gleaned from one of the most influential figures in the sport. Yet, with an understanding of the dynamics that come with such relationships, Garrett observed, “Jerry is 82 years old, and he's done things a certain way for a long, long time...”
Post his coaching era with Dallas, Jason Garrett has continued his involvement in the game, now serving as an analyst for NBC Sports. This role has allowed him to extend his influence beyond the field, offering insights drawn from his diverse experiences in one of the most storied franchises in NFL history. His commentary has highlighted successful franchises like Kansas City, Buffalo, and Baltimore, potentially pointing to models the Cowboys might emulate: “Look at the obvious examples: Kansas City, Buffalo, Baltimore, some of the other ones...” This observation underscores the important lessons drawn from leading football franchises.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys have found themselves in a curious streak of success without ultimate gratification, making 13 consecutive playoff appearances since 1995 without reaching the NFC title game. This statistic looms large in the minds of fans and analysts alike, serving as both a challenge and an opportunity to redefine the team's contemporary era of success.
As Jason Garrett's narrative continues to unfold in this new chapter as a broadcaster, the insights he brings forth are deeply informed by the vast reservoir of experiences from his days on the field, the sidelines, and now behind the microphone. His story is a reminder of the multifaceted nature of professional sports, and the myriad ways in which one can leave a lasting imprint on the game. In a sport where the eye is often kept firmly on the future, Garrett's reflections and contributions serve as a valuable anchor in understanding the evolving landscape of the NFL.