Jerry Jones breaks his silence: the exact moment he lost patience with Micah Parsons

Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, has once again ignited debate both inside and outside the NFL. During an interview with Stephen A. Smith on SiriusXM, Jerry Jones recalled the exact moment he decided to end the Micah Parsons era in Dallas.

According to his own words, it all happened when the All-Pro linebacker lay down on a training table during a preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons.

A gesture that changed the course of the Dallas Cowboys

That seemingly insignificant gesture became the spark that triggered one of the most controversial decisions of the year.

Comparing Parsons attitude to that of legends like Michael Irvin and DeMarcus Ware, Jerry Jones was blunt: “I never saw any of them lie down in front of millions of people. That’s just not who they are.”

For the Texas magnate, that moment reflected a disconnect between the player’s mindset and the Cowboys historic values. It was, in his words, “the turning point” that defined the franchise’s future.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on @SIRIUSXM while talking about Michael Irvin and DeMarcus Ware: “Not one time, not even in the hottest of two-a-days in August in Texas … I never seen either one of these two go over and lay on a damn training table in front of a million people.” pic.twitter.com/ZVxLSpl8hU

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) November 3, 2025

Jerry Jones: The price of talent and the consequences of a decision

After weeks of tension and contract disputes, Micah Parsons was finally traded to the Green Bay Packers on August 1, in exchange for two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark.

Jerry Jones justified the move by saying he couldn’t pay “the highest price in football history” for a player who, in his view, had lost his commitment to the team.

Meanwhile, Parsons signed a record-breaking four-year, $188 million deal, becoming the highest-paid non-quarterback player in the NFL.

With the Packers, he’s already recorded 6.5 sacks and 20 total tackles, helping the team maintain a solid 5-2-1 record.

However, not everyone agrees with the owner’s stance. NBA legend Charles Barkley harshly criticized Jerry Jones, accusing him of sabotaging his own defense.

“Don’t trade your best defensive player and then complain you can’t stop anybody,” the former player said on ESPN.

With the Cowboys falling to a concerning 3-5-1 after their loss to the Arizona Cardinals, Barkley’s words resonate louder than ever.