The Cowboys’ Micah Parsons feels worse for players like Zack Martin than Mike McCarthy in the 3-6 season

McCarthy led the Green Bay Packers for 13 seasons, including a Super Bowl victory, before joining Dallas in 2020. In his fifth season, the 61-year-old is in the final year of his contract. At 3-6 and with four straight losses (including multiple losses), McCarthy could have the edge.

Parsons’ comments illustrate the nature of the deal. High-profile coaches tend to find work in one way or another after being fired – as an offensive coordinator, high-level analyst, etc. – while players’ careers are temporary. There are only so many blocks and tackles in one body.

When asked if McCarthy should coach the Cowboys next year, Parsons said that would be “above my pay grade.”

As calls for a coaching job grow louder, owner Jerry Jones said he has no desire to make an in-season move.

“Mike is a great coach, a great coach in my opinion,” Jones said of McCarthy’s status, via The Athletic. “[He] has and should have the opportunity to do better than what we are currently playing. I didn’t have a good experience with a coaching change in the middle of the season.

“I changed coaches during the season with Wade (Phillips) and always regretted it. In fact, I made a move to Chan Gailey after two years. I regretted that. That’s not enough. You have to give yourself a chance. I had a lot more opportunities in my time.

Three of the Cowboys’ next four games are standalone contests, starting with next Monday night’s game against the Houston Texans.