Mike McCarthy addresses controversial remarks Micah Parsons made about him

Dec 19, 2021; East Rutherford, N.J., USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy looks on during the second half of their game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons made some comments following Sunday’s game that were interpreted as criticism of Mike McCarthy, but the head coach says there are no hard feelings.

The Cowboys fell to 3-6 with their 34-6 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. After the game, Parsons was asked about McCarthy being in the final year of his contract with the team. Parsons said he feels more badly for older Cowboys players who are grinding through a wasted season than he does for the head coach.

Parsons also said he is more concerned about veteran players who have “put in more time and more work than Mike McCarthy ever did.” The All-Pro linebacker’s comments probably did not come out the way he intended. You can hear them for yourself here.

McCarthy told reporters on Monday that he is confident Parsons did not mean to be disrespectful. McCarthy also said he and Parsons had a conversation and handled the situation “as men should.”

“When it does create questions for others in the locker room, something that I’ve always done … conversation has to happen,” McCarthys said. “So Micah and I had a conversation this morning about it. Handled those things as men should. Conversations bring resolution.”

Mike McCarthy on addressing Micah Parsons comments with the player: “When it does create questions for others in the locker room, something that I’ve always done: Conversation has to happen. So Micah & I had a conversation this morning about it. Handled those things as men… https://t.co/0R0zEARDL1

— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) November 11, 2024

Parsons was obviously trying to make the point that the 61-year-old McCarthy is young by coaching standards. Even if the Cowboys choose not to bring McCarthy back in 2025, the coach will likely land a job elsewhere and could still have a lengthy career ahead of him. The same is not true for older players who are close to retirement.

McCarthy may not be worked up over what Parsons said, but the same cannot be said for Rex Ryan.