Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Jerry Jones' ego is 'hurt' after losing Micah Parsons, Cowboys legend says

Originally posted on Dallas Cowboys on SI
By Josh Sanchez | Last updated Aug 30, 2025 4:05 PM ET

The Dallas Cowboys are preparing for life after Micah Parsons with the team's NFL opener against the Philadelphia Eagles just days away.

While there is no denying Parsons' absence will be felt on the field, the team is trying to move forward like it is business as usual. Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer went as far as to say "nothing's changed" for the team following Parsons' trade to the Green Bay Packers.

But everyone knows that isn't true. While the goals may be the same, everything got a little bit more difficult.

Cowboys legend Michael Irvin spoke out after the Parsons trade and shared his belief that Jerry Jones' ego is "hurt" by losing the contract standoff. It was a game of chicken, and rather than calling Parsons' bluff when the team had all of the leverage, Jerry sent him to a young contender.

It was a big miss for Dallas, and one that Irvin thinks is going to sting.

Michael Irvin: Jerry Jones Is Hurt pic.twitter.com/b3DNv0se7g
— DLLS Cowboys (@DLLS_Cowboys) August 29, 2025

"Gamblers like this don't lose like this," Irvin said on his podcast. That's what the documentary says. He's gambled, played chicken so many times, and won.

"He has said that he has a little bit more of an ability to withstand some of this, you know, than others. A little bit more ability to withstand these kinds of pressures than others. Jerry's hurt."

It became clear that the relationship between Parsons and the front office was fractured beyond repair and something had to be done, so Jones did something he rarely does and traded away a generational player.

We'll have to see how this gamble pays off.