Micah Parsons is singing a different tune on Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy.
After making controversial comments last month in which he indicated he didn’t care if the head coach returned, Parsons is backing McCarthy, 61, to return in 2025 as the Cowboys limp through a 5-7 season in the final year of McCarthy’s contract.
“I would like a fair shot with everyone back — players, coaches — because the injuries kind of struck of what this season could really be,” Parsons told ESPN in an interview set to air prior to the Cowboys’ game against the Bengals on “Monday Night Football. “The injuries have been terrible. And, you know, it really sucks. Seeing Zack [Martin], D-Law [DeMarcus Lawrence] not having the year I know he planned to have. He had such a great start. It really sucks.
“In terms of coaching, man, Coach Mike, me and his relationship has always been really good. He always took real good care of me. I just don’t know how the business side of it’s going to go, you know? [Owner and general manager Jerry Jones] has his own mindset about who he wants to coach. This is his team. I’m kind of just, like, a pawn in this business.”
The head coach has been on the hot seat since the Cowboys were miserably upset by the Packers in the wild-card round of the playoffs last season.
Things haven’t improved this season and quarterback Dak Prescott has only been on the field for eight games due to a season-ending hamstring injury.
After a blowout loss to the Eagles last month dropped the Cowboys to 3-6, Parsons made some curious comments about McCarthy.
“That’s above my pay grade, about if Mike’s coaching again next year,” Parsons said. “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.”
Parsons then pushed back on the reaction to his comments during an episode of his podcast, saying he never threw his coach “under the bus.”
McCarthy, who is 47-32 in the regular season during his time in Dallas, also was backed by Prescott, saying in an interview with Yahoo Sports he “wholeheartedly” believes in the NFL head coach of 18 years.
During a recent interview with 105.3 The Fan, owner Jerry Jones also said it would “not be crazy” for McCarthy to pick up an extension despite the tough season the Cowboys have endured.
Parsons would welcome it as he is also set for a possible extension being under contract for the 2025 season on a fifth-year option of his rookie deal.
Parsons seems likely to be the Cowboys’ highest priority to re-sign after the team has already made big deals with Prescott and star wideout CeeDee Lamb.
“I’m Jerry’s guy,” he said. “I think it will be quite … I know it’s easier said than done because I’m not at the table, but that’s my guy. We talk about it and how much we appreciate each side, but I know numbers talk. But man, at the end of the day whatever it takes for me just to continue to be a Cowboy until I retire, that’s what I want. And I know it’s going to be hard conversations and reality checks, but I think I’m a good enough caliber to be here.”
Parsons added he “doesn’t know” if he cares to be the highest-paid defensive player in the league, which would require more than $34 million per season, surpassing the 49ers’ Nick Bosa.
Currently, the Cowboys star is set to acquire $21.3 million in 2025.
“It really just depends on the circumstances of who are we trying to get, who’s trying to return. I look at it from a business side also, you know? If we’re going to be aggressive and bringing in players to play next to me because right now, you look at it, I don’t know who I’m playing [with] besides Marshawn [Kneeland] and Sam [Williams] and Mazi [Smith]. Who’s going to be on our ring with Chauncey [Golston] and Osa [Odighizuwa] and D-Law [potentially] not being here.
“So, to me it’s all about the foundation of the team, like, ‘How can I create the best foundation and play with the guys who have helped me create a lot of success?’ Those guys helped me get to where I am, where I can become the highest-paid player. So, I would like for as many of us to be here as possible so we can continue having success, winning seasons.”
Across eight games this season, Parsons has tallied 6.5 sacks along with 15 quarterback hits and one forced fumble in his fourth season with the Cowboys after he was selected No. 12 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
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