The Dallas Cowboys have been one of the NFL’s biggest disappointments this season. Going into Week 14, the team is 57 and third in the NFC East.
Despite that underwhelming performance, star linebacker Micah Parsons wants head coach Mike McCarthy to return next season. That would go against the sentiment to fire McCarthy for failing to meet expectations.
Yet in Parsons’ view, it’s unfair to judge the coachor the teambecause of all the injuries the Cowboys have dealt with this season. He expressed that belief during an interview with ESPN that will air before Monday night’s matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals.
This week, the Cowboys announced that Martin opted for ankle surgery that will sideline him for the team’s remaining five games. Lawrence has been on injured reserve since suffering a foot injury in Week 4.
Parsons’ feelings echo those of quarterback Dak Prescott, who sustained a season-ending hamstring injury in Week 9. Prescott told Yahoo Sports’ Jori Epstein that he “wholeheartedly” believes in McCarthy.
Parsons will definitely be back with the Cowboys next season, playing the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. So supporting McCarthy seems meaningful under those circumstances.
Dallas has already agreed to pay big money to Prescott and receiver CeeDee Lamb. Prescott’s deal made him the highest-paid player in NFL history, while Lamb’s contract ranks second among the league’s receivers.
Parsons is set to be next in line after establishing himself as one of the NFL’s top pass rushers with 47 sacks in four seasons. He won Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and was named first-team All-Pro in his first two seasons. Last year, Parsons was named to second-team All-Pro.
However, Parsons added that being the highest-paid defensive player matters less to him than the Cowboys having the resources to build a championship roster.