Todd Archer, ESPN Staff Writer 6y

Cowboys' best news of early offseason: Will McClay is staying

FRISCO, Texas -- As the Dallas Cowboys look to fill out their coaching staff, they know they will not have a vacancy on their personnel staff.

Will McClay, the vice president of player personnel, said Wednesday that he has officially declined a chance to interview for the Houston Texans' general manager job. When reports surfaced last weekend that McClay had turned down the chance to speak with Houston, he said he had not been contacted by any representatives of the team.

McClay's decision to remain in Dallas is the best news the Cowboys have had in the early offseason. He has run the team's personnel department since 2014 and has played the lead in drafting four Pro Bowlers: Zack Martin, DeMarcus Lawrence, Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott. The Cowboys have also added 12 starters or key contributors through the draft during that time, in addition to right tackle La'el Collins as an undrafted free agent.

McClay has received interest from a number of teams in recent years, including the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers, but has opted to remain with the Cowboys, who have given McClay a bigger title and added responsibility.

The Texans' job had some interest for McClay, a Houston native and Rice graduate. He has family in the city and he would not be far from his son. Plus, the Texans have a decent roster, especially with the eventual return to health of J.J. Watt and Deshaun Watson, and a good cap situation to be a contender in the AFC.

McClay has been with the Cowboys since 2002, working his way up from a pro scout. While Jerry Jones maintains the general manager role and Stephen Jones is the director of player personnel, they lean heavily on McClay in the draft process and throughout the season.

He has helped bring stability to the draft room with a program designed to keep the scouts and coaches on the same page.

One day he could have the chance to run his own team, but for now McClay is betting on himself and betting on the Cowboys.

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