Stephen A. Smith Praises Jerry Jones Amid Controversial Cowboys Trade
In a surprising turn of events, Stephen A. Smith, the well-known ESPN commentator and long-time critic of the Dallas Cowboys, has offered unexpected praise for the team’s owner and general manager, Jerry Jones. This shift comes after Jones made a significant trade in late August, sending star pass rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers. The move occurred just before the one-year mark of Jones awarding quarterback Dak Prescott a lucrative four-year contract extension.
Despite facing criticism for letting Parsons go, Jones’s decision seems justified, especially as the Cowboys have exceeded expectations this season. As they prepare for Week 8 with a 3-3-1 record, Smith believes that investing in Prescott was the right choice. So far, Prescott has thrown for 1,881 yards and 16 touchdowns, ranking him second in the NFL for both statistics.
Although the Cowboys currently trail the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East, their playoff aspirations remain strong. Smith emphasized the importance of Jones’s decision to back Prescott over Parsons, predicting that this could lead to a postseason berth for Dallas.
Speaking on ESPN’s "First Take," Smith acknowledged his previous criticisms of Jones, stating, "We have to be fair to Jerry Jones. He wanted to bet on Dak Prescott, and he went all in. I can afford to let Micah Parsons go because I have faith in my quarterback."
Smith also highlighted the impressive performance of running back Javonte Williams, who is on track for a career-best season. He noted that the Cowboys’ offensive line has performed better than expected, contributing to the team’s success.
As for Parsons, he’s continuing to shine with the Packers, boasting 16 tackles and 5.5 sacks through six games. In contrast, the Cowboys have struggled to find playoff success in recent years, with just four playoff wins in the last 25 years and no appearances in the NFC Championship game since their last Super Bowl victory in the 1995 season.
Despite the Cowboys’ historical challenges, Smith remains optimistic about their chances for a playoff victory this January. "If the Cowboys make it to the playoffs with this offense and, dare I say, win a playoff game, we all have to acknowledge that Jerry Jones may have been right," he concluded.
This Sunday, the Dallas Cowboys will face off against the Denver Broncos, and fans are eagerly anticipating what could be a pivotal moment in their season.
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