As the NFC Championship Game features a clash between their NFC East rivals, the Dallas Cowboys are grappling with significant internal turmoil. Owner and general manager Jerry Jones had declared he was going “all in” during the offseason, yet the team stumbled through a disappointing 7-10 season, plagued by off-field issues, contract disputes, and escalating conflicts that ultimately resulted in head coach Mike McCarthy stepping down after five seasons.
Although the Cowboys have clinched the NFC East title five times over the last decade, they have not advanced past the Divisional round of the playoffs since 1995—the same year they last won the Super Bowl. The franchise’s culture has long been troubled, with Jones frequently accused of placing media attention and revenue over on-field achievements. Former NFL wide receiver Dez Bryant, who played for the team from 2010 to 2017, shared his frustrations on X, calling for a change in the organization’s direction.
“From now on, I’ll speak my truth about the Cowboys,” Bryant wrote Saturday. “Whether it’s good or bad. Jerry has built a great brand, and now it’s time for the team to start winning. It’s time for a real culture shift. I’m fed up with all the nepotism… get someone in there who can win games…” The message prompted a reaction from current Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons, who addressed Bryant in a series of tweets.
“Stuff like this irritates me Dez because you had enough talent and were probably one of the greatest in your time!” Parsons said. “You could have changed the culture brother!! You could have changed the culture!” In response, Bryant pushed back, suggesting Parsons lacked understanding of the deeper issues at play.
“I had to double back because you really said I could have changed the culture and emphasized that, as if you don’t know,” wrote Bryant. “I was never on the yes-man political ass-kissing shit. I sacrificed myself so a lot of you could do what you do. I’m on some shit that’s way deeper than football. You are really too young to understand. You’ll realize soon you need more people like me who don’t give a fuck for the better of the athletes. The way I talked to Jerry vs the way you talk to Jerry is totally different. Let it sink.”
Later, after Bryant responded to comments suggesting everyone in the Cowboys front office was a “yes man,” Parsons questioned the relevance of that to player performance. “Lol what does front office have to do with players’ actions!,” asked Parsons. “And players be responsible for their actions?”
In defending his stance, Bryant acknowledged his respect for Parsons, wishing that he “accomplishes more than I can imagine,” but maintained, “I’m going to speak my truth.” He later elaborated, saying, “Whenever I played, I always spoke my mind… telling the team we sucked,” and emphasizing his commitment to honesty over falsehoods, which sometimes made him unpopular among peers.
Ultimately, it seems both men opted not to further confront their issues in a podcast, likely for the best, as their dialogue suggested they were talking past one another, albeit from different perspectives. Bryant brings a broader lens of the business, while Parsons is focused on current locker room dynamics and winning games.
One undeniable truth remains: The Cowboys are again watching from home this January as their divisional rivals compete for a Super Bowl berth. The path to rectifying this situation remains uncertain.
