As the Dallas Cowboys’ season continues to unravel, questions regarding Mike McCarthy’s future as head coach are becoming more frequent after each disappointing loss.

Micah Parsons, the Cowboys’ star edge rusher who returned from an ankle injury in Sunday’s 34-6 defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles, revealed that he’s more concerned about the future of veteran players like Zack Martin than he is about McCarthy.

Parsons expressed sympathy for those players who might be nearing the end of their careers, saying they deserve to experience success before it’s too late.

“Mike can go wherever he wants,” Parsons commented, according to Yahoo Sports’ Jori Epstein.

“But I feel bad for guys like Zack Martin and others who might be in their final years or nearing the end of their time.

They’re the guys I wanted to win a championship for. These are the legends who’ve put in more time and effort than Mike McCarthy ever has.”

Parsons’ focus on players like Martin reflects a broader perspective on the fleeting nature of a player’s career compared to a coach’s.

Coaches, even when fired, typically land new opportunities—whether as an offensive coordinator, senior analyst, or another role—while players’ careers are more limited in duration due to the physical toll the sport takes.

Parsons pointed out the emotional difficulty of watching teammates’ careers potentially come to a close without achieving their goals.

When asked whether McCarthy should continue as head coach next season, Parsons said, “That’s above my pay grade.”

While Parsons’ comments about McCarthy’s status have drawn attention, McCarthy responded publicly, noting that he and Parsons had addressed the issue privately.

McCarthy clarified that he had spoken to Parsons about the remarks to ensure any potential distractions were handled maturely.

“It’s something I’ve always done,” McCarthy said.

“When postgame comments spark questions in the locker room, it’s important to have a conversation about it. Micah and I talked this morning, and that’s how it should be.”

Despite mounting speculation about McCarthy’s job, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has made it clear that he is not considering firing McCarthy during the season.

Jones, who has had experience with in-season coaching changes in the past, is staunchly opposed to making such a decision midyear.

He pointed to his past regrets when he fired Wade Phillips and Chan Gailey midseason, saying those moves didn’t work out well in the long run.

“Mike is a heck of a coach in my mind,” Jones said of McCarthy’s status.

“He deserves the chance to get this team back on track. I’ve had more patience with coaches, and I think that’s what we need here.”

With the Cowboys’ season slipping further away at 3-6, including four straight losses, the pressure on McCarthy continues to mount.

However, Jones remains resolute in giving McCarthy the time to turn things around.

The Cowboys’ next game is Monday night against the Houston Texans, with three of their next four games being standalone matchups, offering an opportunity to turn the

season around.