The Dallas Cowboys’ 2024 season has been a tough road, marked by injuries to key players and costly mistakes on the field. With stars like Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, and DaRon Bland sidelined, and now quarterback Dak Prescott added to the injury list, the Cowboys sit at a challenging 3-5. Penalties, especially, have become a frequent issue. Against Atlanta in Week 9, Dallas was flagged nine times for 55 yards, with many infractions occurring before the snap, stalling the offense and halting momentum.
Owner and general manager Jerry Jones recently spoke on 105.3 The Fan about how these issues affect his view of head coach Mike McCarthy’s season. Though some may call it “unfair” to judge a coach on a season derailed by injuries, Jones was firm in his stance, choosing to highlight the team’s discipline rather than their health.
“I’m not so sure ‘fair’ is a word here,” Jones remarked. “If you’re having an excess of penalties or repeated mistakes, it’s on you to address it. This is pro football. These players have every incentive to play disciplined football.”
Jones acknowledged his own responsibility in shaping the team, admitting that he, too, is part of the equation when it comes to penalty troubles. “The coaches and players out there are guys I’ve had everything to do with putting out there,” he said. “You can’t win with too many penalties. You have to consistently avoid mistakes if you want to succeed.”
When asked about McCarthy’s control over the roster, Jones expressed his faith in the head coach’s ability to manage the team, even with ongoing penalty issues and game-impacting calls from officials. He noted that maintaining focus under pressure is a key part of the professional development process.
“As the game goes on, I think penalties can come from fatigue, sure,” Jones said. “But these guys are pros. Staying mentally sharp is part of their job.”
As Dallas faces the second half of the season, Jones’ comments make it clear that improvement is not just expected but essential, particularly in terms of discipline and cutting down on penalties. With McCarthy in a contract year, how the Cowboys handle these issues will likely impact Jones’ assessment of the coaching staff heading into the offseason.
