Emmitt Smith, the legendary Hall of Fame running back for the Dallas Cowboys, has voiced his disappointment with the team's recent playoff performance and the decision to retain head coach Mike McCarthy. Despite having the NFC's second seed and home field advantage, the Cowboys suffered a 48-32 loss to the Green Bay Packers in the wild card round.

Speaking on CBS Sports' "Maggie and Perloff" radio show, Smith expressed his concern about the team's state and his inability to understand why they performed poorly. He likened the team's current situation to being lost, unable to pinpoint a specific reason for their struggles.

Following the Cowboys' disappointing playoff exit, many fans called for McCarthy to be fired. Under his leadership, the team won 12 games for three consecutive seasons, yet failed to make it to the conference championship each time. However, team owner and general manager Jerry Jones chose to retain McCarthy for the final year of his contract, citing his impressive regular season record as the highest career win percentage in team history.

Smith acknowledged that his opinion differs greatly from Jones, implying that the Cowboys' priorities may lie more in style and hype rather than actual on-field results. He emphasized the mental block that seems to hinder the team from achieving postseason success. Smith believes the players' lack of consistent preparation and failure to meet expectations contribute to this issue.

The Cowboys' quarterback, Dak Prescott, has also faced criticism for his playoff performances, with a record of 2-5 as the team's starting quarterback. Smith pointed out the need for improved preparation, recounting a specific example from the Cowboys' Week 17 victory over the Detroit Lions. In Smith's view, Prescott's decision to throw the ball three times instead of running out the clock demonstrated either a lack of preparation or a momentary lapse in focus.

It is worth noting that McCarthy defended the play-calling after the game, stating that they were trying to put the game away and that they faced difficulties on first downs throughout the day.

While Smith's opinions may differ from those of Jones and McCarthy, his concerns reflect a broader sentiment among Cowboys fans who yearn for consistent success and postseason dominance. As the team moves forward into the 2024 season, the pressure will be on McCarthy and his players to address the issues raised by Smith and prove that they are capable of achieving greatness.

Overall, the Cowboys' decision to retain McCarthy has divided opinions within the organization and among fans. It remains to be seen how this move will impact the team's future and their ongoing quest for another Super Bowl title.