Rod Marinelli Rumors: Latest Buzz, Speculation Surrounding Future with Cowboys

Cowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli has reportedly reached an agreement with Dallas to remain the Cowboys' defensive coordinator.

Continue for updates.

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Marinelli and Cowboys Reach Agreement

Tuesday, Jan. 13

Ian Rapoport reports Marinelli will remain the Cowboys' defensive coordinator:

ESPN's Todd Archer adds more detail: 

Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News provided comments from Jones, who spoke about the contract:

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reveals the Buccaneers' DC position that Marinelli was linked to will be filled by Leslie Frazier:

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Stephen Jones Planning on Marinelli's Return

Monday, Jan. 12

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones commented on defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli's future with the team during an appearance on 105.3 The Fan, via the team's official website:

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'We fully expect for him to come back. It certainly would be disappointing if that didn’t happen, but we’re going to go to work and try to extend his contract or get him a new contract so he’ll be a Dallas Cowboy.'

Jones was quick to point out, however, that the Cowboys have exclusive negotiating rights with all of their coaches for the next three days – which would make contact from every NFL franchises against league rules.

'I can’t imagine anybody has a deal right now, because that would be tampering. We have a three-day window here that we have exclusive negotiating rights with our coaches, so I know no one in this league would ever tamper.'

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Garrett Wants to Keep Marinelli

Monday, Jan. 12

Pat Yasinskas of ESPN passed along what he was hearing regarding Rod Marinelli and Jason Garrett's comments on the situation:

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But a league source told ESPN.com that the report was "pure speculation." Smith told The Tampa Bay Times that he had not spoken to Marinelli and there was no validity to the story. 

In an interview with 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said the team wants to keep Marinelli, whose contract is expiring. 

"I know Rod Marinelli has done a fantastic job for us since he's been here," Garrett said. "He's done a great job coordinating our defense this year. We have every intention of keeping Rod Marinelli in his current role as defensive coordinator. We'll take care of the business things after we take care of the business of today, but Rod's a helluva coach and has done amazing things with our football team this year."

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Marinelli Linked to Tampa Bay Move

Sunday, Jan. 11

Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli has been instrumental in turning around what was a horrendous Dallas Cowboys defense, proving critical in the team's run to the NFC East title.  

Following Dallas' 26-21 loss to the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round Sunday, ProFootballTalk.com reported that Marinelli will leave the Cowboys to take on the same role with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

Marinelli was on the Chicago Bears staff with current Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith from 2009-2012, which makes Marinelli's reported impending move to Tampa Bay logical.

Although Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports Smith has not contacted Marinelli: 

This would be a big loss for the Cowboys, who were lost defensively before Marinelli began calling the shots. Dallas suffered injuries to key players along the way, yet Marinelli still kept the unit respectable with his schematic savvy.

The Bucs have to be thrilled to land Marinelli if Sunday's report ultimately comes to fruition. They ranked 25th in yards allowed and scoring defense in 2014, though some of that can be attributed to an anemic offense that couldn't put enough points on the board.

With the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft, a veteran coach at the helm in Smith and a prized coordinator in Marinelli reportedly on the way, Tampa Bay's outlook appears to be improving after a dismal 2-14 campaign.