Parsons unconcerned with McCarthy's future: 'Above my pay grade'

Star linebacker Micah Parsons isn't putting much thought into the job status of head coach Mike McCarthy following Sunday's 34-6 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

"That's above my pay grade, if Mike's coach again next year," Parsons said Sunday, according to ESPN's Todd Archer. "All coaching aside, Mike can leave and go where he wants to. Guys I kind of feel bad for is guys like Zack Martin and guys who might be on their last year, on their way out, because that's who I wanted to hold the trophy for.

"You want to win games and do great things with those type of legends who put in more time and work than Mike McCarthy ever did. So those are the kind of guys that I have so much sympathy and hurt for."

The Cowboys dropped to 3-6 after Sunday's loss. McCarthy, who is in the final year of his contract, finds himself on the hot seat with Dallas in jeopardy of missing the playoffs amid a four-game losing stretch.

McCarthy is in his 18th year as a head coach and his fifth season with the Cowboys. He has a 45-31 record in Dallas, which posted a 12-5 mark in each of the previous three seasons while not making it past the divisional round of the playoffs.

Martin has been a stalwart along the Cowboys' offensive line since he was selected in the first round of the 2014 draft. The All-Pro offensive guard has battled through an ankle and shoulder injury in what is the final year of his contract.

Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said he isn't inclined to make a midseason coaching change after Sunday's blowout loss. Jones fired Wade Phillips in 2010 following a loss to the Green Bay Packers, naming Jason Garrett as the interim coach in his place.

"Mike is a heck of a coach, a great coach in my mind," Jones said, according to The Athletic's Jenna West, Jon Machota, and Saad Yousuf. "(He) has and should have the opportunity to do better than we’re playing right now. I haven't had good experience changing coaches in the middle of the season."

The Cowboys are without quarterback Dak Prescott, who reportedly plans to undergo season-ending surgery on a partially torn hamstring.

Sunday's loss marred Parsons' return to the field after a four-game absence because of an ankle injury. The dynamic pass-rusher recorded two sacks, one tackle for loss, and two QB hits in his first game since Week 4.