Mike McCarthy Discusses What Cowboys Must “Eliminate From Culture” After Latest Loss
By Adam Schultz, Athlon Sports
Updated: November 12, 2024, 5:26 AM
Once again, after a Dallas Cowboys loss, the focus shifts to an issue off the field — something that has nothing to do with football but continues to be a persistent issue for this team. This time, it’s Micah Parsons’ remarks, which unintentionally sparked a media firestorm, going viral on national television and social media. On Monday, Micah addressed his comments on his podcast, The Edge, explaining that he never meant to criticize head coach Mike McCarthy, emphasizing the “work and time” his coach puts in. However, his initial comments stirred controversy, creating another distraction for the Cowboys.
McCarthy later revealed that he had met with Parsons to address the situation. “Micah and I had a conversation this morning about it and handled it like men should handle things,” McCarthy said. “That wasn’t his intent (to offend). But … we need to focus on football, and hone in on the areas that need improvement … This is about eliminating things from your culture, and conversations like these lead to resolutions. I think this is an example of that.”
“Focus on football” has become a common refrain for the Cowboys, but it’s a sentiment that seems elusive. As our own Mike Fisher has often pointed out in his critique of the Jerry Jones-led organization, calling it a “marketing company that plays football on the side,” the Cowboys face a unique challenge: balancing football with branding. And, as McCarthy subtly acknowledged, this balance has led to a deeper cultural issue.
The Cowboys’ 3-6 record is certainly a reflection of the problem, but it’s not the whole picture. This “Blow It Up” roster isn’t strong enough to succeed unless it truly embraces a football-first mindset. The Cowboys aren’t committed to that approach, and as a result, they’re struggling on the field.
McCarthy’s remarks about eliminating distractions from the team culture are significant. However, the franchise’s focus on branding — something Jerry Jones has prioritized — has created a culture where players are often more concerned with their individual images, celebrations, and side projects than the team’s success. This has become so ingrained in the Cowboys’ culture that it’s unclear which is the bigger issue: the disappointing on-field performance or the commercial machine that is driving that culture.
The Cowboys may be one of the most recognized sports teams in the world, thanks to Jerry Jones, but McCarthy’s acknowledgment of a “culture problem” suggests there are deeper issues at play. Perhaps someone at The Star should pay closer attention to these underlying concerns as well.
