Cowboys' Jerry Jones addresses potential Micah Parsons, Mike McCarthy controversy

Dallas Cowboys pass-rusher Micah Parsons generated headlines when he said following the club's 34-6 home loss to the rival Philadelphia Eagles this past Sunday that he felt worse for veteran players such as guard Zack Martin than for head coach Mike McCarthy. 

Parsons later insisted he never intended to throw McCarthy "under the bus" with his original comments. During a Tuesday appearance on Dallas sports radio station 105.3 The Fan, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones defended the player. 

"It was not meant as a critique of the coaches or the coach," Jones said about Parsons' original statements, as shared by Logan Mullen of Audacy. "It was meant as a concern for the veteran players such as a Zack Martin that might not have that much more in their career left. And he meant as a concern to them because they don’t have the length of time to right the ship as much as a player like Micah or the younger players. That's how it was meant."

It's understandable some may be wondering if McCarthy is losing members of the locker room with the club at 3-6. He's in the final campaign of his contract, has received no public guarantees from Jones that he'll remain in his job through the upcoming offseason and will be without injured quarterback Dak Prescott through Week 18. 

In short, what started as a lame-duck year for McCarthy will likely end as a lost season for an organization that participated in the last three playoff tournaments. 

Some suggested before Parsons spoke on Sunday that the Cowboys could make him available before the 2025 draft so the club could stock up on needed younger talent. Such chatter could've grown louder had Jones made it known he was upset about what the 25-year-old said and/or didn't say, but the owner instead attempted to put the matter to bed. 

"There is no game Micah does not feel a lack of appreciation, of all people, our head coach, Mike. That’s just not the case," Jones added. "I can tell you for a fact that is not the case, and I’ve visited extensively with everybody involved here. That is not the case. It was an expression of being more concerned about a teammate." 

The Cowboys host the 6-4 Houston Texans next Monday night. One wonders if Jones could show McCarthy the door if his team is embarrassed in front of a prime-time television audience.