Report: Dallas Cowboys set to hire Arizona Cardinals assistant Klayton Adams as offensive coordinator

The Dallas Cowboys are set to hire Klayton Adams as their next offensive coordinator, NFL Network reported. He interviewed twice for the role under new coach Brian Schottenheimer.

Adams spent the last two years as the Arizona Cardinals’ offensive line coach after joining the franchise under Jonathan Gannon. He was considered the favorite for the Cowboys’ OC opening after interviewing in-person earlier this week, and he’ll now get the job under Schottenheimer, who will call plays as head coach.

With Adams’ pending hire, the Cowboys now have both coordinators in place. The franchise quickly moved to hire former Chicago Bears coach Matt Eberflus as defensive coordinator, and Schottenheimer has his offensive coordinator, as well.

Adams previously spent time with the Indianapolis Colts as assistant offensive line coach from 2019-20 and as tight ends coach from 2021-22 before heading to Arizona. Eberflus was also on the Colts’ staff from 2018-21 when he left to become the Bears’ head coach.

Adams previously held the title of offensive coordinator in 2018 when he split duties at Colorado while also working as the Buffaloes’ offensive line coach. After that season, the Colts hired him for his first NFL coaching opportunity.

As the Cowboys worked to finalized their OC hire, Eberflus was building out his defensive staff. Dallas is adding Dave Borgonzi as linebackers coach, Aaron Whitecotton as defensive line coach and Andre Curtis as defensive passing game coordinator. Lunda Wells has agreed to a new deal to return next season as the team’s tight ends coach, a role he’s held since 2020.

How the run game factored into Cowboys OC search

As for what Dallas was looking for in its next offensive coordinator, team executive vice president Stephen Jones said the goal is to find someone who works well with Schottenheimer. One other thing that stood out about the search was the desire to revamp the run game.

Jones said that’s a key part of the plan, and Klayton Adams would surely fit that bill after working with the offensive line in Arizona. It turns out, he’ll be the guy.

“I think most of these guys always want to check the run game box,” Jones said. “Most of these guys are very, if you will, fluent when it comes to throwing the ball around the yard. But you always want a great offensive line coach, a great running game coordinator. And of course, the key this day and time is to marry that run game to the pass game.”