Micah Parsons was ‘devastated’ by the Cowboys and Mike McCarthy parted ways.

Dallas Cowboys All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons called the decision to part ways with coach Mike McCarthy “devastating.”

Parsons said on “The Edge” podcast this week that he didn’t expect Dallas and McCarthy to go their separate ways after five seasons. McCarthy is the only head coach Parsons has played for in the NFL.

“I am very sad because of my relationship with Coach McCarthy and all he has done for our program,” Parsons said on the podcast. “Three straight 12-5 seasons, a playoff appearance, and a bad year with injuries. … It’s just shocking. Coach Mike is a great father and a great coach. One of the winningest coaches of all time. He’s “It hurts to lose a great coach like Mike, who was always great for us, the unit, the coaches and the players.”

NFL Network reported Wednesday that the Cowboys are expected to interview former New York Jets coach Robert Saleh for a possible position.

Already, Parsons and the Cowboys were entering a contentious phase in their relationship due to his contract status. The 25-year-old is scheduled to play on a team option worth $24 million for 2025, and recent records suggest that owner and general manager Jerry Jones is willing to bide his time before settling on an extension. The two sides had a protracted standoff before massive 2024 contracts were signed with CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott.

Lamb left training camp and signed just days before the start of the 2024 regular season.

Nonetheless, Parsons said he believes Jones will make the right decision in replacing McCarthy.

“But listen, I already know,” he said on the podcast. “I trust my owner, I trust my GM and I trust Will McClay, our vice president of player personnel, that we will make the right decisions when it comes to coaching.”

–Field level media