When the news broke that the Cowboys would retain Lunda Wells, it was widely assumed he’d return to coach the tight ends. While his official job title hasn’t been announced yet, keeping Wells should put an end to speculation about Jason Witten joining the team’s coaching staff in the near future.

Wells was one of the standout hires made by former head coach Mike McCarthy, and many feared the Cowboys could lose him. The Chicago Bears tried to lure the respected tight ends coach away, but there’s another reason Cowboys fans are pleased about Wells’ extension.

By keeping Wells, it seems the door has closed on Witten becoming part of the Cowboys’ coaching staff, which was a major concern for fans. While Witten was an iconic player, many fans didn’t seem thrilled about the idea of him returning as a coach for the team.

Rumors had circulated that Jerry Jones might place Witten on the staff and groom him to eventually be the head coach, but those talks have now been laid to rest. Although nothing has been officially confirmed, the decision to retain Wells should silence any remaining hopes of Witten joining the Cowboys’ staff.

However, no one would put it past Jones to make such a move, and this was the core issue with the idea of Witten coming on board in any coaching capacity. The thought that the head coach—whether it was Brian Schottenheimer or someone else—might not have full control over staff hires didn’t sit well with many. Head coaches should have the authority to build their own team, as understood by the other 31 franchises.

Unfortunately, the Cowboys’ owner hasn’t always shared this perspective. Jones has previously hired coaches before hiring a head coach, making it reasonable to question whether this could happen again. For example, Jason Garrett was hired as offensive coordinator before Wade Phillips became head coach, and the team kept Kellen Moore as OC when McCarthy was brought in. This approach is not ideal for building a coaching staff or supporting the new head coach.

It’s tough to dismiss Witten as a potential future NFL coach. The four-time All-Pro, 11-time Pro Bowler, and Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year is currently coaching Liberty Christian School in Argyle, Texas, to back-to-back state championships. This proves Witten has coaching potential, though transitioning from high school to professional football is a significant leap.

Whether Witten would succeed as an NFL coach or how interested he is in such a role remains uncertain. However, the success of Dan Campbell with the Detroit Lions has fueled speculation that Jones might be looking for a similar figure in Witten. Adding to the chatter, Jones has often spoken about Witten’s potential as a future head coach.

For now, Cowboys fans are waiting to learn which position Wells will coach, with the offensive line being a possible option, along with the tight ends job he has held for the past five years. Either way, Wells’ return is positive news for a team in need of strong coaching.

It also seems like it’s good news that the conversation about Witten coaching is being put on hold for now. With Wells staying on, the talk about Witten joining the Cowboys coaching staff can be set aside for the time being.

One less drama to deal with, at least for now.