Micah is Cowboys' 'Most Selfish Player'? Parsons Reacts to Accusation from Jesse Holley

Former Dallas Cowboys receiver Jesse Holley is not shy in his criticism of edge rusher Micah Parsons.

Every star has its gravitational pull. The one the Dallas Cowboys wear happens to attract negative attention.

Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons is one of the best defensive players on the planet. His presence is an invaluable boost to the Dallas defense. His production consistently justifies the hype. That isn’t enough for those blaming him for holding the Cowboys back from their Super Bowl aspirations.

And now Micah Parsons is responding - sort of - to the accusation that he's the Cowboys "most selfish player.''

“Yall just want a reaction outta me it’s not going to work,” Parsons tweeted, clearly referring to a controversy triggered by former Dallas receiver Jesse Holley.

Holley, who spent the 2010 and 2011 seasons with the Cowboys, appeared on Ray Ray’s Podcast to talk about "America’s Team.'' He spent a large amount of discussing his qualms with Parsons’ leadership and his impact on the Cowboys’ culture.

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) leaves the field after the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

“Micah Parsons, to me ... is probably the most selfish player on this football team,” he said. “One of the reasons Micah Parsons does not want to play linebacker, it’s too much of a responsibility. … Maybe it’s just the youth in him. Micah doesn’t want to study. Micah doesn’t want to focus in, and I truly believe Micah wants to be great for Micah.”

Holley spoke about Parsons’ lack of desire to play off-ball linebacker, where the team struggled this season. He made sure not to call him “a dumb player” but feels his unwillingness to change positions risks the Cowboys’ success for his own.

“If Micah ever was to get into the Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu school of film watching … he could play anywhere,'' Holley said. "The problem is he doesn’t want to. Because he said, 'Well I’ve already had success doing this, and I’m about to get the biggest bag in NFL history doing simply this.”

Parsons will become extension-eligible at the start of the 2024 league year in early March. The contract may not come immediately, but he will almost certainly become the highest-paid defensive player in the history of the sport.

Is Micah Parsons Possibly the Most Selfish Player on the #Cowboys Team? Who is his OG? - Jesse Holley @Mr4thAndLong shares perspectives and makes bold statements on the @RayBandz972 Podcast ▶️https://t.co/NY5vsb7LKw pic.twitter.com/51QBOeSfjw

— Law Nation Sports (@LawsNation) January 26, 2024

Meanwhile, there is little to suggest the Dallas coaching staff asked Parsons to play significant snaps at linebacker this season.

Parsons played well at linebacker when he played a majority of his snaps there in his rookie season. Then the Cowboys seemingly realized that they were wasting his talent by not letting him rush the passer full-time. The only forcing of Dallas’ hand that we know of for certain was from Parsons being fairly incredible at his job.

Holley would go on to grill Parsons for not keeping the defense longer after practice or hosting a film session at his house, a point that those close to Parsons have disputed.

Micah 'Phenomenal or Forgotten'? Analyzing Playoff Silence

Holley is a thoughtful analyst of Cowboys issues and does with with the team website, so he is also in the building. This is clearly his truth. And Parsons - a perennial finalist for Defensive Player of the Year - has his.