Dallas Cowboys All-Pro running back Micah Parsons called the decision to part ways with head coach Mike McCarthy “very difficult.”
Parsons said on “The Edge” podcast this week that he didn’t expect Dallas and McCarthy to part ways after five seasons. McCarthy is the only head coach Parsons has played for in the NFL.
“Obviously I’m very upset because of the relationship we had with coach McCarthy and everything he’s done for our program,” Parsons said on the podcast. “Three straight 12-5 seasons, a playoff appearance and obviously a bad year with injuries. … It’s sad. Coach Mike is a great dad, a great coach. One of the winningest coaches. He’s always been good to us as a coach. The unit, the coaches, the players, it hurts. losing a great coach like Mike.
NFL Network reported Wednesday that the Cowboys are expected to interview New York Jets coach Robert Saleh for the position.
Parsons and the Cowboys were already entering what could be a contentious phase in their relationship because of the state of his contract. The 25-year-old will hit a $24 million cap hit in 2025 and recent history suggests owner and general manager Jerry Jones is willing to let the clock tick before talking about extensions. Before CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott’s massive contracts were reached in 2024, the two sides battled it out.
Lamb came out of training camp and signed days before the start of the 2024 regular season.
Still, Parsons said he believes Jones will make the right decision in replacing McCarthy.
“But listen, I already know,” he told the podcast. “I trust my owner, I trust our GM, I trust (vice president of players) Will McClay that we will make the right decisions when it comes to training.”
–Field Level Media