Peter Canavan says it’s “very worrying” that seven players have now left the Tyrone squad since last year’s All-Ireland triumph.
Paul Donaghy was the latest player to walk away, departing the squad last week.
The other six players who have left are Mark Bradley, Ronan O’Neill, Michael Cassidy, Tiernan McCann, Lee Brennan and Hugh Pat McGeary.
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Dead eye Dungannon forward Donaghy came on for the final 10 minutes of last year’s All-Ireland final win over Mayo.
Canavan said: “If Tyrone are to do something that has never been done in the county before (winning back to back All-Ireland titles), you need everybody pulling with you.
“You need everything going your way.
“Even last year when you had everyone with you, you could go through two or three games and say, ‘We were lucky to get over the line,’ or, 'We had lady luck on our side.’
“Donegal - key players getting injured and missing a penalty. Monaghan had the beating of us in the last five minutes of the Ulster final.
“Kerry certainly would feel they left one behind and Mayo had goal chances that went a begging. They would feel that they are every bit as good as Tyrone.
“When you bear that all in mind, to retain it you have to come back stronger.
“Look at the team that knows how to retain All-Irelands in recent years - Dublin.
“You can go through so many of the All-Irelands that they won and you can pinpoint games where their bench was the deciding factor in winning big games.
“From a Tyrone perspective, look at the impact our bench made in big games.
“Instead of having five or six players who are chomping on the bit to get on and you know will make a difference, it doesn’t appear to be there and players are going to have to stand up that we haven’t seen that much of.”
Canavan says there are “a lot of questions” as to why the players have stepped away.
He continued: “I totally understand when there are personal reasons involved.
“But from a wider point of view, Dublin didn’t seem to have this problem when they were retaining an All-Ireland.
“There’s a number of issues that need to be addressed and looked at if we are to retain our best players.
“I see it myself at first hand, the effort and commitment that is required.
“I don’t want to be critical of the boys for opting out.
“When I was on the panel myself, it frustrated and infuriated me that we had some players who didn’t apply themselves.
“(Players) that didn’t fully commit and you felt they would have been better off not being there.
“So there’s a wee bit of that - if boys can’t fully commit and make the sacrifices required.
“It’s very disappointing, as a Tyrone supporter, when you hear of players leaving the panel.”
Speaking about Donaghy, Canavan said: “Disappointing because he did make an impact. He was a player I felt was finding his feet.
“He has serious potential. He was player of the Championship in Tyrone two years ago. He hadn’t seen a lot of game time maybe in the League.
“Just purely from the point of view that it weakens Tyrone, I would be disappointed.
“Mattie Donnelly has picked up what looks like a serious injury.
“Our bench wasn’t the strongest, due to withdrawals as it was.
"Now you get to the weekend and a key player is injured and another player who without doubt could have an impact on the Championship, steps away.
“I don’t know the reasons why he stepped away. I was aware at the start of the year there were work issues and he was possibly stepping away at the start of the year.
“Whether that has resurfaced, I dunno.
“It’s disappointing especially as it is so close to the Championship and it is another dent to Tyrone’s prospects of winning back to back (All-Irelands).”
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