Mike Tomlin-Cowboys Eyed by NFL Exec for Jerry Jones with Schottenheimer on Hot Seat After Colts Win

One NFL executive floated a dramatic solution for the Dallas Cowboys in the event they move on from coach Brian Schottenheimer.

"The problem there is Jerry's age (84)," the exec told The Athletic's Mike Sando. "So my thought is, that's where you start to circle for Mike Tomlin. Maybe he just relents, much like when he got Bill Parcells, when he kind of gave in to the powerful coach a little bit."

The source went on to cite Tomlin's reputation as a defensive coach and his familiarity with cornerback Joey Porter Jr., who will be a big part of the Dallas secondary if he signs a new contract with the team.

The Cowboys took down the Indianapolis Colts 27-23 in Week 9 but still have a 4-5 record. Their defense remains one of the worst in the NFL as well. If Dallas once again misses the playoffs, then Schottenheimer could be kicked to the curb.

Even if a coaching change happens, a lot of fans will be concerned it's just more of the same. Look no further than the recent comments from team owner Jerry Jones about his beliefs on coaching salaries:

According to Sportico's Kurt Badenhausen, Tomlin was making $16 million a year in what proved to be his final season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Coaxing him out of the broadcast booth might require a bigger payout than that.

Is Jones prepared to pay Tomlin that much? Mike McCarthy was a proven coach with a Super Bowl title on his resume and he reportedly got just $8 million annually.

There's also the fact that Tomlin would want to exert some authority over how the roster is built.

The 54-year-old would be the most obvious candidate for the Cowboys to target if they need a new coach in the offseason. Recent history suggests the partnership is unlikely to happen.