Micah Parsons criticized the Giants for not pulling Daniel Jones in the blowout loss

ESPNSeptember 13, 2023, 11:27 AM ET3 Minute Reading

Rex Ryan: The Cowboys have the best defense in the NFL

Rex Ryan and Ryan Clark raved about the Cowboys’ defense in their 40-0 rout of the Giants.

Micah Parsons joined the chorus of observers confused as to why Daniel Jones wasn’t pulled — for his own protection — from the Giants’ historic season-opening loss to the Cowboys.

With Parsons leading the way, the Cowboys sacked Jones seven times and pressured the Giants’ quarterback consistently in Sunday night’s 40-0 blowout.

But despite the lopsided score and their inability to handle the Cowboys’ pass rush, the Giants kept Jones in the game until their final possession — a decision that drew widespread criticism.

“It’s called protecting your guy — something I think the Giants need to do,” Parsons said Tuesday on his “The Edge with Micah Parsons” podcast. “I don’t think Daniel Jones should have been in the game in the fourth quarter.

“I think they need to protect him and pull him. Barring injury, their season will be over without Daniel Jones.”

Jones struggled in his first regular-season game since signing a four-year, $160 million deal in March. He completed just 15 of 28 passes and threw two interceptions while being harassed all over the Cowboys, who pressured Jones into 55% of his 42 dropbacks.

Parsons had a front view of the ruins; the two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher had one sack, one tackle for loss and two more hits on Jones. It was the worst season-opening loss in Giants franchise history, and fans at MetLife Stadium booed the Giants loudly as they walked off the field at halftime with a 26-0 deficit. The second half was better for the Giants, who pulled several other starters — including star running back Saquon Barkley — despite Jones leaving the game.

“I don’t agree with Daniel Jones staying out there until the last drive, I think that’s wrong,” Parsons said. “I think that’s cheating.

“That’s your franchise quarterback, and he’s out there with a backup offensive line that’s been sacked and hit. I just don’t understand. Maybe this is a chance to prove the Giants’ buy — I don’t have one.” y idea – a lesson to learn. , who knows. But I think Daniel Jones should have been fired.”

Giants coach Brian Daboll, when asked Sunday why Jones stayed in the game when the outcome was already decided, said New York was simply trying to “do something positive.” Jones also emphasized that he “wants to stay” in the game and said that “there hasn’t been any conversation” about firing him.

But Parsons clearly didn’t buy that answer and cited the Bengals’ decision to pull franchise quarterback Joe Burrow from Sunday’s loss to the Browns.

“The Bengals [made] the smart decision by pulling Joe Burrow, saying ‘Hey, we’re going to submit, we’re going to take our loss, and we’re going to move on to next week and do better,'” the two-time All Pro said.” That’s the best thing you can do.”