Former Panthers: Gerald McCoy right to call out Jerry Jones

Former Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy was right to call out Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

Gerald McCoy has wasted no time in making his presence felt with the Dallas Cowboys. The veteran defensive tackle departed the Carolina Panthers in favor of a three-year, $18.3 million contract with the NFC East team. This also included a $3 million signing bonus and a further $9 million guaranteed.

The former No. 3 overall pick was a vocal leader during his time with the Carolina Panthers. And his latest comments will undoubtedly command instant respect within the Cowboys’ locker room.

Jerry Jones is arguably the most influential owner in sports. And he is rarely backward in coming forwards when it comes to voicing his opinion on almost every issue on a daily basis.

That is why his silence has been deafening regarding the current protests transpiring up and down the country relating to social injustice. McCoy also noticed this and called on Jones to make some sort of statement regarding the issue similar to that which has gone on prominently in Carolina.

"“You have the players, who have their own brand, but we’re all under the umbrella of the Dallas Cowboys. The Dallas Cowboys are the most recognized franchise in the world. They can get behind it, whether it’s the players or just being in the movement, period, and showing their support. It would be great to hear a statement from the Cowboys, great to hear a statement from Jerry Jones in support of everything that’s going on. Will that get me in trouble saying that? I don’t know, but the truth is it needs to be said. The problem is people are afraid to have the conversations.”"

These comments are not likely to go down with Jones, who is renowned for being quite volatile when it comes to people that speak out against him. This is a man that fired Jimmy Johnson after winning two straight Super Bowls, simply because they failed to see eye-to-eye on certain matters.

Why former Carolina Panthers DT Gerald McCoy was right to put Jerry Jones under pressure

While others that have dealt with Jerry Jones before decided not to speak up. Gerald McCoy decided to take matters into his own hands and pile additional pressure on the outspoken owner.

As stated previously, Jones is not going to take this very well. And although it won’t come with McCoy parting ways with the franchise. His performances will be put under more scrutiny by the Dallas front office.

He had a down year with the Carolina Panthers in 2019. But the defense struggled overall after spending a lot of time on the field due to some erratic quarterback play. Those other members of the Cowboys’ roster know how Jones takes to such insubordination. And it remains to be seen whether McCoy falls foul of his notorious temper.

Jones is an influential figure within NFL circles. So for him not to stand in union with virtually the entire league is unfathomable. The bottom line has always been what’s most important to him. And if any potential social injustice support has the scope to threaten profits. Then we could be waiting a while longer before the owner makes his feelings known.

McCoy deserves tremendous credit for holding Jones to account. A new arrival to the organization normally doesn’t upset the apple cart like this. But this situation should be bigger than the NFL and sports in general.