Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy has slammed the added 17th game to the NFL schedule over the health of his players.
The 2023 NFL season will be the third 17-game regular season and teams are still adjusting to the brutal additional physicality that comes with an extra competitive game. Cowboys coach McCarthy pointed to the impact on the particularly physical positions, including offensive lineman in the trenches.
Speaking to reporters, McCarthy insisted continuity with the same players on the field each week is necessary for success in the NFL. His frustrations were somewhat vindicated with injuries to Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz last season.
The Cowboys also lost veteran tackle Jason Peters to injury ahead of the Wild Card playoff contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which Dallas won. The franchise crashed out of the postseason at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round, though. McCarthy suggested he is hamstrung by the added wear and tear sustained by his players playing in the extra game.
“I think the 17th game impact is real,” the 59-year-old said. “I have felt it with our team.
“History will tell you continuity factors into your wins and losses. You look at the history of five offensive linemen lining up and starting every game of a season on the win total, I don’t recall the exact number, but it’s a significant number.”
McCarthy insisted the added game has proved to be a bone of contention, and other head coaches around the league have been discussing the issue in recent years. While the coaches and players are still adjusting to the dramatic change to professional life, the owners appear set on the 17-game season sticking around.
On Thursday, McCarthy also addressed the possibility of the Cowboys adding star receiver DeAndre Hopkins to their offensive weapons. Dallas have already traded for Brandin Cooks, and while McCarthy didn’t shut the idea down, he suggested he is content with the receiving corps.
“I really like the look of our (wide receiver) group,” McCarthy told reporters. “The vertical speed is definitely - you know, we made some improvement there.”
