The Dallas Cowboys season has been anything but smooth, with struggles mounting and tensions rising. Led by owner Jerry Jones and head coach Mike McCarthy, the team has dropped to a disheartening 3-6 record, leaving players like Micah Parsons to question the direction of the franchise. Following that, Parsons received backlash from fans, former players and analysts alike.

Ex-NFLer Shaun Smith didn’t hold back when calling out Cowboys star Micah Parsons for his recent comments. After Parsons’ remarks seemed to criticize Mike McCarthy and Rex Ryan, Smith quickly jumped in, saying Parsons should spend his time on something more productive. “He has that much time to listen to his critics? Go watch some film,” Smith fired back.

Smith’s blunt message hints at a frustration many former players share about current stars getting caught up in off-field drama. The Cowboys’ outspoken star remarked after the crushing loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Reflecting on the team’s struggles, he diverted attention from McCarthy’s future, instead expressing concern for teammates like Zack Martin, saying, “Mike can go wherever he wants… I feel bad for guys like Zack Martin who might be in their last year or on their way out.” Parsons’ words were seen as a subtle jab at McCarthy, suggesting that the coach’s departure wouldn’t be as meaningful as losing long-standing veterans.

McCarthy responded with a focus on team performance, criticizing turnovers, saying, “It’s unacceptable… the game gets away from you, and you can’t get back into it.” Meanwhile, Jerry Jones acknowledged the challenge, bluntly stating, “Philadelphia is a high-caliber team. We’re not up to it.”

The Cowboys’ struggles have amplified questions about leadership and accountability within the team, leaving fans wondering if drastic changes are on the horizon.

NFL analysts, Cowboys legends, and Micah Parsons speak out on McCarthy controversy

Micah Parsons’ comments on head coach Mike McCarthy after the Cowboys’ crushing loss to the Eagles unleashed a wave of reactions from NFL analysts and former players. Critics like Damien Woody didn’t hold back, slamming Parsons for his apparent disregard for team decorum. Woody called out Parsons for the “blatant disrespect” he showed McCarthy, adding that there used to be “a little bit of respect” for head coaches in the locker room.

Shannon Sharpe, meanwhile, blamed Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, arguing that Jones’ leadership has fostered a toxic culture where players openly challenge authority. Sharpe accused Jones of ignoring “key issues like the run game and defense” and, by failing to address these, creating a breeding ground for discontent.

Cowboys legend Michael Irvin took a more diplomatic stance, noting that while the 25-year-old’s choice of words was controversial, his intent wasn’t entirely wrong. Irvin sympathized, suggesting that Parsons may have simply chosen an unfortunate way to express his concerns about the team.

In response to the backlash, Parsons clarified on his podcast that his remarks were taken out of context, asserting that he “never intended to throw Mike McCarthy under the bus.” He explained that his words stemmed from a desire to honor long-time players, like Zach Martin, who may soon leave the Cowboys. For fans, the incident exposed the Cowboys’ deepening internal struggles, leaving many wondering if this conflict could further impact the team’s already tumultuous season.