Report: Cowboys talked with Meyer about HC job; Riley also strong candidate

Jason Garrett remains the Dallas Cowboys' head coach, but the organization is already flirting with potential replacements.

The Cowboys have a "very real interest" in Urban Meyer, and team executive vice president Stephen Jones recently spoke with the former Ohio State head coach, sources told Jane Slater of NFL Network.

Slater added that Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley is still a strong candidate to take over for Garrett, who's in the final year of his contract. Clemson offensive coordinator Tony Elliott is also a possibility.

Dallas lost on Thursday night to the Chicago Bears, and the mounting pressure on Garrett is increasing after the team's third straight defeat. The 6-7 Cowboys are still on track to make the playoffs, though that's largely a result of being in the NFL's least competitive division.

A three-time national champion, Meyer stepped down from the Buckeyes at the end of last season because of health reasons.

The 54-year-old established himself as one of college football's greatest coaches over seven seasons at Ohio State, winning the 2014 College Football Playoff National Championship and posting a 77-9 overall record.

Meanwhile, Riley has been recognized as one of college football's premier offensive minds in his three seasons with the Sooners.

The 36-year-old produced back-to-back Heisman-winning quarterbacks in Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray, who were selected with the No. 1 overall picks in the last two drafts.

Elliott, 40, has acted as Clemson's co-offensive coordinator (alongside Jeff Scott) since the final game of the 2014 season. His offense has been the driving force behind Clemson's two recent national title wins (2016 and 2018).