Criticism has mounted against Cowboys star Micah Parsons after his controversial comments about head coach Mike McCarthy after the team’s blowout loss to the Eagles on Sunday, and he doesn’t seem pleased about how his remarks have been perceived.
“I never once threw — or even intended to throw — Mike McCarthy under the bus… The question that was asked about here and the Dallas Cowboys, did I see Mike McCarthy in our future? I said, ‘That’s above my pay grade,'” Parsons explained on his podcast “The Edge with Micah Parsons.”
The 25-year-old linebacker previously seemed to show little remorse for his coach when asked if he’d be back this season in the midst of this incredibly long season for the Cowboys.
“That’s above my pay grade, about if Mike’s coaching again next year,” Parsons said after the Cowboys’ 34-6 loss. ‘All coaching aside, Mike can leave and go wherever he wants. Guys I kind of feel bad for is guys like [guard] 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. So those are the kind of guys that I have so much sympathy and hurt for.”
McCarthy then told reporters he sat down with Parsons and they discussed his comments, for which Parsons later apologized.
“Micah and I had a conversation this morning about it, and we handled those things as men should handle it,” McCarthy said. “That wasn’t his intent, but that’s something he can talk on.”
Rex Ryan blasted Parsons on Monday over his comments.
“You’re giving up family time, you’re giving up all kinds of stuff in your life and you’re gonna get some ass— I don’t care how talented he is, that is absolutely BS. If you would’ve worked half as frickin’ hard as a damn coach does, maybe you’d be able to play every damn game,” Ryan said while referencing Parson’s injury that sidelined him for four games. “Maybe your team wouldn’t just be a bunch of punks and lay down every week like you’re doing. How about being a damn football team? You’re going to sell your damn coach out. It’s a crock of sh… you know what.”
Despite a 3-6 record and losing Dak Prescott for the remainder of the regular season with an injury, the Cowboys chose not to sell at the deadline, instead opting to trade for wide receiver Jonathan Mingo.
Rival general managers blasted the Cowboys’ trade deadline moves as teams struggled to see the vision in trading so much for an unproven player like Mingo.
Dallas next faces the Texans on “Monday Night Football.”
Parsons returned to the field against the Eagles after he was injured against the Giants in September.
