Cowboys legend Michael Irvin steps in for Micah Parsons amid outrage on Mike McCarthy disrespect
Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons was chastised heavily on social media for his brutally honest take on head coach Mike McCarthy's future with the franchise. Following his team's brutal 34-6 loss at home to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, the linebacker was asked in a post-game interview whether McCarthy would remain with the team next season. He responded:
"Mike can leave and go where he wants to. 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. You want to win games and do great things with those type of legends who put in more time and work than Mike McCarthy ever did."
Parsons was called out by fans and analysts alike for his disrespectful tone. Cowboys icon Michael Irvin agreed that Micah Parsons shouldn't have been as blunt, but claimed his take wasn't wrong. While appearing on FS1's Speak on Monday, he said:
"What he's saying is not incorrect... It's just how he's saying it. Coaches in this league come and go all the time. That’s a highly stressful job, we know it’s about winning. So a lot of talk around Mike McCarthy and that talk will continue, we won’t be able to stop that. But what I do worry about are the players. That’s who I’m trying to honor.”
Jerry Jones defends Micah Parsons' comments about Mike McCarthy
Michael Irvin wasn't the only notable Cowboys figure who came to Micah Parsons' defense. Team owner and general manager Jerry Jones also downplayed the linebacker's candid take. During his weekly appearance on 105.3 The Fan radio show, the 82-year-old said:
"[The comments weren'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 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]."
Like over two dozen players on the Cowboys roster, McCarthy's contract with the team will run out at the end of the season. Micah Parsons, who did not get the contract extension he wanted, is still under contract after the team exercised his option in April.
Given that McCarthy was brought in to help the franchise end its long wait for a Super Bowl win and he has yet to lead them to the NFC Championship Game, the team, and the veteran head coach will likely part ways in the offseason.
While there's no official word on McCarthy's future in Dallas, the common consensus is that he has only eight games left as the team's head coach.