Stephen A. Smith Praises Jerry Jones for Backing Dak Prescott Over Micah Parsons

In a surprising twist, ESPN host Stephen A. Smith, a well-known critic of the Dallas Cowboys, has offered rare praise to team owner Jerry Jones for his recent personnel decisions. Smith, speaking on ESPN’s “First Take,” acknowledged that Jones’ controversial choice to trade star pass rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers while investing in quarterback Dak Prescott appears to be paying dividends. The decision came shortly after Jones committed to Prescott with a substantial four-year contract extension, signaling where the organization’s priorities lie. Despite facing significant criticism at the time, Jones’ vision for the team seems to be materializing as the Cowboys have performed better than many expected this season.

The Cowboys’ current record of 3-3-1 might not seem impressive at first glance, but their offensive production under Prescott tells a different story. The quarterback ranks second in the NFL with 1,881 passing yards and 16 touchdowns, validating Jones’ faith in his franchise player. While the Cowboys currently trail the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East standings, their playoff prospects remain strong. Smith highlighted this offensive success as evidence that Jones’ strategic decision to prioritize Prescott over Parsons was sound. “Jerry Jones is all about his way,” Smith noted. “And his way is, I gave this man $60 million to go out there and make me look good. I’m riding with you.”

The Cowboys’ offensive arsenal extends beyond just Prescott, with Smith pointing to weapons like CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and tight end Jake Ferguson as key contributors. Running back Javonte Williams is also having his best career season, and the offensive line has performed better than critics anticipated. This comprehensive offensive attack represents exactly the style of football Jones envisioned when making his personnel decisions. Meanwhile, Parsons has recorded 16 tackles and 5.5 sacks through six games with the Packers, continuing the productivity he showed during his time in Dallas where he consistently delivered double-digit sack seasons.

The context of Jones’ decision-making becomes clearer when considering the Cowboys’ playoff drought. Despite being one of the NFL’s most valuable franchises, Dallas has managed just four playoff wins in the last 25 years and hasn’t reached the NFC Championship game since their Super Bowl victory in the 1995 season. This extended period of postseason disappointment has made Jones’ every move subject to intense scrutiny, especially from vocal critics like Smith. However, the ESPN personality now believes the Cowboys are positioned to potentially end some of this playoff futility, largely due to their offensive firepower under Prescott’s leadership.

Smith made a bold prediction that could represent a significant shift in his longstanding criticism of Jones. “If he goes out and tweaks and this defense shows anything… and the Dallas Cowboys make it to the playoffs with that offense and dare I say, they win a playoff game, we all got to stand down,” Smith admitted. This statement represents a remarkable concession from one of Jones’ most persistent critics, acknowledging that the owner’s controversial decisions might be vindicated by postseason success. Smith continued, “We got to stand down. It’s a big if… but if we are gonna religiously crucify him, we got to step back and go like this: ‘Damn he might have had a point.'”

The Cowboys’ journey continues this Sunday as they travel to face the Denver Broncos, with each game offering another opportunity to validate Jones’ vision. While many NFL owners delegate personnel decisions to general managers, Jones has famously maintained control over both ownership and personnel matters throughout his tenure with the Cowboys. This dual role has made him a lightning rod for criticism when the team underperforms, but it also means he deserves credit when his decisions bear fruit. As the season progresses, the football world will be watching closely to see if Jones’ commitment to Prescott over Parsons ultimately leads the Cowboys back to playoff glory, potentially forcing even his harshest critics like Stephen A. Smith to acknowledge his foresight.