Jerry Jones Takes Star's Side in Latest Cowboys Player vs. Coach Beef
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy found himself back in the hot seat after Sunday's 34-6 loss to the rival Philadelphia Eagles. With the Cowboys likely missing the playoffs this season, star defender Micah Parsons was asked about McCarthy's future in Dallas and didn't give the most encouraging endorsement.
"That's above my pay grade if Mike's coach again next year," Parsons told ESPN's Todd Archer after the Cowboys' latest loss. "All coaching aside, Mike can leave and go where he wants to. The guys I kind of feel bad for is guys like Zack Martin and guys who might be on their last year, on their way out, because that's who I wanted to hold the trophy for."
Naturally, it didn't take long for fans to wonder if Parsons has lost faith in McCarthy's coaching. While some frustrated Cowboys supporters agreed with the sentiments, others feel like the 25-year-old shouldn't have commented on his head coach's outlook.
As with all things Cowboys-related, owner/general manager Jerry Jones is now weighing in on the situation.
Cowboys News: Jerry Jones Takes Micah Parsons' Side Over Mike McCarthy
On Tuesday's appearance on 105.3 The Fan (h/t Jon Machota), the 82-year-old billionaire made it clear that he doesn't have a problem with anything Parsons said on Sunday night.
"It wasn't meant as a critique of the coach," Jones told listeners. It was meant as a concern for veteran players, like Zack Martin, who might not have that much more left in their career. That's how it was meant."
"There is no doubt in my mind that it was meant that way. Micah does not feel a lack of appreciation for (McCarthy)."
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on @1053thefan on Micah Parsons' postgame comments Sunday about Mike McCarthy: "It wasn't meant as a critique of the coach. It was meant as a concern for veteran players, like Zack Martin, who might not have that much more left in their career. That's…
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) November 12, 2024
Jones added that he "visited extensively with everyone involved" to squash the issue before it grew. Even if there isn't a player-coach rivalry brewing in the Cowboys' locker room, it doesn't change the fact that Parsons spoke the truth over the weekend.
Even if the season has been a disaster, McCarthy likely won't have any issues finding a job if he doesn't re-sign in Dallas. He's a battle-tested head coach with a 170-108-2 regular-season record and a Super Bowl ring across his 18-year career. His three straight 12-win seasons between 2021 and 2023 could be good enough for potential suitors to overlook his current struggles.
The likes of Martin (34), Dak Prescott (31), and Ezekiel Elliott (29) aren't getting any younger and their Super Bowl window is closing. McCarthy has already tasted championship glory and will likely continue seeing opportunities come his way until he's ready to hang up the whistle, whereas the veteran trio doesn't have that same luxury given their age.
With that in mind, McCarthy's fate likely won't be known until January. Jones has made it clear that he's completely against in-season coaching changes and will wait until the offseason to decide if he wants to run things back with McCarthy or start fresh with a new coach.
In the meantime, McCarthy & Co. will focus on their upcoming Week 11 meeting with the Houston Texans. It'll likely be another uphill battle for the Cowboys, who are currently 7.5-point home underdogs against the Texans on FanDuel Sportsbook.
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