Mike McCarthy’s tenure with the Dallas Cowboys is becoming increasingly challenging.
The Cowboys entered their bye week facing several uncertainties. McCarthy gave his players a list of questions aimed at addressing areas for improvement. One change that emerged was a greater focus on team drills in practice. Both Dak Prescott and Jourdan Lewis noted that some players weren’t putting in enough effort during individual drills, which had taken up much practice time.
McCarthy’s main focus post-bye revolved around effort and attention to detail. Players were not exerting enough effort or playing with solid fundamentals. These elements were essential to compete with the 49ers, even with their injuries heading into Sunday night.
Unfortunately, it was the same Cowboys’ routine right from the start. Just five plays, including two runs for no gain, led to a quick punt. McCarthy acknowledged on Monday that the first drive lacked detail.
Despite this, the Cowboys initially showed better effort, managing to take a hopeful lead into halftime. However, a lack of detail led to a collapse in the second half.
A penalty from Brandon Aubrey on the kickoff, a quick 49ers touchdown, a poor interception by Prescott, and another quick 49ers score turned a 10-6 lead into a 27-10 deficit. Though two late touchdowns made the scoreline closer, the Cowboys were effectively beaten by the start of the third quarter.
This game likely signals the end of McCarthy’s time with the Cowboys.
Calling for someone’s job isn’t ideal, but this game underscored a team not fully buying into their coach. While McCarthy has consistently emphasized effort, toughness, and fundamentals, this season his players aren’t responding. Prescott has regressed, CeeDee Lamb’s inconsistency is troubling, and a defense hindered by injuries has been struggling.
The postgame incident with Trevon Diggs highlighted the players’ detachment from McCarthy’s leadership. Just weeks prior, Jerry Jones had harshly responded to a local radio host’s critical questions, seemingly empowering Diggs’ own confrontation with a reporter shortly after Sunday’s game. This image of Diggs more concerned with social media criticism than the game shows a disconnect that Jones has neither condemned nor discouraged.
It’s often said that good coaching leads players to reflect their coach’s mindset. The Cowboys’ behavior reflects their owner more than McCarthy, an indication of the coach’s struggle to lead this team. The need for fresh leadership is evident.
McCarthy has not been rewarded fairly either. From the start, he’s worked diligently. His first season, affected by injuries and COVID-19, ended on a positive note. He then posted three straight 12-win seasons, an accomplishment not achieved by any Dallas coach under Jones.
Despite this, McCarthy is now in a precarious position with little support. His two best offensive players held out for contract deals, while Jones again hesitated to improve the roster.
Throughout his tenure, McCarthy has faced obstacles but handled them professionally. While he could have done some things better, much of the blame belongs to Jones’ mismanagement, though McCarthy will likely shoulder the fallout.
Eventually, McCarthy, like even Jimmy Johnson before him, has encountered the limitations imposed by Jones’ ownership style. However, McCarthy’s time may end without the achievements Johnson secured. As of now, McCarthy’s final stretch as Cowboys head coach appears to be just 10 weeks away.
