There is never a dull moment with the Dallas Cowboys. While it’s better than supporting a team that doesn’t generate attention, Cowboys fans often struggle to catch their breath.
The man in charge is frequently the reason for this. It’s uncommon for Jerry Jones not to face backlash from the fan base, but the intense criticism he’s received recently shows that fans are reaching their breaking point.
Though Jones’ roles as the team’s owner and unofficial general manager are secure—he has openly said he’s not stepping down—the same cannot be said for head coach Mike McCarthy, at least after the 2024 season.
Jones defended McCarthy following Dallas’ blowout loss to the Lions in Week 6, but his tone shifted during his appearance on 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday.
“The things we think we should be analyzing are poor designs or bad concepts,” Jones remarked. “There’s some truth to that, but execution also plays a role.”
That sounds like Jones throwing his head coach under the bus.
Unfortunately, Jones’ comments are accurate. McCarthy’s offensive strategy has been painful to witness. His route designs lack creativity, and Dallas ranks near the bottom of the league in pre-snap motion.
Franchise icon Troy Aikman thinks the Cowboys’ wide receivers deserve much of the blame. Aikman criticized their routes as “terrible” and questioned their effort when the play isn’t designed for them.
It’s likely a combination of McCarthy’s scheme and poor routes, but what matters most is that Dak Prescott has thrown into tight windows—defined by less than one yard of separation—at a league-high rate of 22.8%. This is a losing formula, regardless of quarterback talent.
The Cowboys managed just 251 yards of offense in their last game against the Lions, including only 53 rushing yards. For the season, Detroit ranks 18th in total defense, allowing 338.3 yards per game.
Though Jones acknowledged execution issues, his criticism of McCarthy should push the coach to make improvements.
Thankfully, McCarthy said he made significant changes during the bye week. Time will tell how those changes play out Sunday night against the 49ers and moving forward, but Jones’ comments on 105.3 The Fan suggest McCarthy is under pressure to improve the offense.
