The Dallas Cowboys got thrashed by the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, but once again the story is not what transpired on the football field.
CeeDee Lamb essentially called out the team after the sun impaired his vision and prevented him from catching a touchdown. Jerry Jones brought up the sun controversy unprompted after the game and lost it. He likened pulling down the curtains to having AT&T Stadium remodeled. He doubled down that he won't put the curtains to use.
Incredibly, it took all of an hour for that story to get overshadowed.
Asked about the Cowboys' disappointing season and head coach Mike McCarthy's future, Micah Parsons essentially said he hurts more for the veterans on the team who may leave at season's end or are nearing the end of their playing careers more than his head coach.
Parsons' answer was seen as a diss to McCarthy and almost communicating through the media that he wants McCarthy fired. It caused a firestorm on social media, but Parsons' words were taken out of context. The All-Pro edge rusher responded Monday morning in a string of posts to X, or Twitter.
Cowboys' Micah Parsons responds to backlash about Mike McCarthy quote
You would think guys who played and coached the sport would have better journalism!! But I was very wrong!! They trying to use my name image and likeness with dallas cowboys to continue to tear the beautiful organization with drama and bad media attentions! Be better @GetUpESPN
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) November 11, 2024
Here is Parsons' quote that got taken out of context:
"Mike can leave and go wherever he wants, guys I kind of feel bad for (are) guys like Zack Martin and guys who might be on their last year or 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. Those are the kind of guys that I have so much sympathy and hurt for."
READ MORE: Jerry Jones reveals Cowboys' plan for Mike McCarthy after awful Week 10 loss
The Cowboys are an easy target for everyone now. In a media world that chases hot takes and engagement now more than objective analysis, it's really no surprise former head coach Rex Ryan and offensive guard Damien Woody ripped Parsons on ESPN's Get Up!.
While Parsons could have worded his answer better, it was easy to read between that lines that he wasn't throwing his head coach under the bus. Parsons sees the writing on the wall. He knows it could Zack Martin's final season in the NFL. Additionally, lifetime Cowboys and fan favorites DeMarcus Lawrence (11 years) and Jourdan Lewis (eight years) are free agents. It's no guarantee they'll be back.
That former coaches and players couldn't see the forrest for the trees with Parsons' quote is shocking, but also not surprising since it's the Cowboys.
Parsons said he will address the backlash on "The Edge" podcast with Bleacher Report. That he even has to do that is ridiculous. There's nothing wrong with piling on the Cowboys for how they performed against the Eagles, but that won't drive ratings like blasting the best defensive player in the game so naturally that is what everyone will be talking about this week.