The mic is hot, and David Irving is screaming into it.

The 2018 season was set to be one wherein the veteran defensive lineman proved himself after being disappointed with the Dallas Cowboys opting to settle for placing a second-round tender on him, then a restricted free agent at the time. In the end, it still wound up being a gross overpayment, because Irving's continued off-the-field issues combined with a high ankle sprain suffered during the bye week to see him play in just two games out of a possible 18. With the tender paying him $2.91 million, the Cowboys got a total of two combined tackles and one sack for keeping him onboard, sans $684,706 for a four-game suspension due to violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy.

That's still $2.23 million for virtually no production, and they're now expected to cut ties and move on this offseason, despite Irving's odd belief it was somehow a foregone conclusion he'd re-sign in Dallas. He can wave goodbye to that hope though, following an indefinite suspension handed down by the NFL for yet another violation of the substance abuse policy. It bears mention that the league is also investigating a domestic violence incident on Irving that involves the mother of his child, Angela Sanchez, with both sides having been reportedly questioned by the front office in New York.

[NFL suspends David Irving indefinitely]

As far as the standing punishment goes though, Irving has made it clear he'll likely not return to the NFL as long as they're suspending players for marijuana.

In a comment made on Instagram, the mercurial pass rusher responded to a report that the league is prepared to make "major concessions" regarding the substance abuse policy, in particular the marijuana portion of it. As originally reported by Pro Football Talk, there may even be consideration to abandon the punishment of marijuana use altogether. Irving wasted no time weighing in on the matter.

"Well once they do that, give me a call," he wrote. "[Because] it's bullsh-- how I have Xanax bars and hydros right next to me to take — given to me by the NFL, of course — however we can't smoke the same weed the staff itself smokes."

Incendiary accusations hurled at the Cowboys' staff aside — which certainly serves to nail the coffin closed on any remote chance he had of rejoining the team — his comments come across as Irving having zero want of playing football until the ban is lifted. The irony here is palpable, considering the league may not allow him back in even then (reinstatement is their sole discretion) and even before this latest and most brutal punishment, Irving's commitment to the sport had been long in question.

Still, at every turn, the uber-vocal defensive lineman has taken to social media to voice his angst.

"I’m in the NFL because I’m great at what I do," he wrote in a recent IG post. "I’m not in the NFL because I’m an Eagle Scout, or the perfect model citizen. I didn’t put on a mask or kiss ass to be where I am. I'm here on natural ability.

"This is God’s plan. Not mine. Trust me, I’m adjusting to it as well. Once I step on the field and stop performing, then we have a problem.

"So does anyone have anything to say about my play?"

Well, yes, considering he's only participated in 10 of the Cowboys' last 34 games and has only 10 starts in his four-year career, along with two NFL suspensions and more than one season-ending injury. Therein lies the problem, because while no one can deny what Irving is capable of when he's on the field, the problem is actually getting him there. His lack of commitment is also a major concern within the organization and has been for a while now, hence the second-round tender as opposed to a first-rounder.

Additionally, no one should still be adjusting heading into their fifth year.

When challenged by a fan for making the IG comment above — one who told him to "stop embarrassing himself" and to "take accountability" — Irving fired back in a major way.

"You can't tell someone they're embarrassing themselves if they don't actually feel embarrassed," he wrote. "That's not my problem. I don't care who does or doesn't have this opportunity. This isn't your life.

"Go take advantage of your own opportunities. Go make your own bad decisions. Live your life. There's no shame in my game.

"I failed a drug test because I [smoked] weed. Nobody forced me to smoke. I'm very accountable of my actions. I'm also very opinionated.

"You have the right to comment. I have the right to say 'F-ck off'."

Considering the aforementioned issues, the fact he missed multiple drug tests in 2018 and the new accusation thrown at the staff — the Cowboys have the right to say the same thing. For all intents and purposes, they have, and that's why they're all-in on supporting Randy Gregory while simultaneously showing Irving the door.

[H/t TMZ]