Micah Parsons confirms Zack Martin retirement, receives backlash for Mike McCarthy comments

The Dallas Cowboys were grateful to have All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons back for their Week 10 game against the Philadelphia Eagles after he suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 4 and had been sidelined since. Although the defense was notably better with him back in it, it wasn’t enough to save the offensive meltdown, and the Cowboys went on to lose 34-6 to their rivals.

After the game, Parsons made some interesting comments about head coach Mike McCarthy. McCarthy‘s contract ends after this season and he’s been on the hot seat ever since their Wild Card loss to the Green Bay Packers last season. This season, he basically didn’t stand a chance, as several key players left the team and went un-replaced, and injuries to other key players stacked the odds against him. Now, the Cowboys are at 3-6 and his chances of coaching in Dallas past this season are slim to none.

What did Parsons say about McCarthy after Eagles loss?

There were actually two significant interpretations about Micah Parsons' comments following the Eagles loss. One is a criticism of the head coach, and the other is a hint that a key player will walk following this season, whether it‘s in retirement or for another team. Here’s what Parsons said, in case you missed it.

“Mike [McCarthy] can leave and go wherever he wants,” Parsons said. “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.”

There’s been speculation about whether nine-time Pro Bowl guard Zack Martin would walk in free agency in the offseason as his contract comes to an end after this year, and Parsons seemed to have confirmed that suspicion.

On top of that, Parsons said he doesn‘t empathize with McCarthy on this losing season since he’ll have other options for coaching jobs after this season. And that comment didn’t sit well with everyone.

NFL analyst Damien Woody spoke about Parsons' comments on ESPN Monday Morning, appalled at the audacity he had to speak about a “Super Bowl-wining head coach” in that way.

“Who the hell does Micah Parsons think he is talking like that after a game? Bro, you’ve been missing all these games with the injury,” said Woody. “And last time I checked, the head coach is a Super Bowl-winning coach.”

“For you to sit there in the locker room right after your team gets pummeled, and to just undress your head coach in that manner...that’s what’s going on with all these podcast boys out here in the locker room.”

He went on to say that Parsons' comments lacked respect as well as accountability. And he was not alone in these thoughts. Analyst and former NFL coach Rex Ryan shared the sentiments.

“He doesn’t deserve that. Mike McCarthy, no coach, deserves that,” said Ryan. “Because the hours - trust me, my friend - the hours this guy is putting in, no player is putting in the work that a head coach is. I can assure you.”

Regardless of who is to blame, the Cowboys are at 3-6 with just eight games left in the season and the culture is the biggest of their problems.

What did Mike McCarthy say about Parsons' comments on him?

In McCarthy‘s press conference on Monday, he said that he didn‘t think Parsons’ intent was to question McCarthy‘s abilities, but rather to express empathy for the players. It’s unclear what exactly he meant by this, but he said they spoke about it and “handled it like men”.