The Dallas Cowboys have been one of the NFL’s biggest disappointments this season. Entering Week 14, the team is ranked 5-7 and third in the NFC East.

Despite this disappointing performance, star linebacker Micah Parsons wants head coach Mike McCarthy to return next season. That would go against the sentiment of firing McCarthy because he didn’t live up to expectations.

Still, Parsons believes it’s unfair to judge the coach – or the team – because the Cowboys have suffered so many injuries this season. He expressed this belief in an interview with ESPN that will air before Monday night’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

This week, the Cowboys announced that Martin has elected to undergo ankle surgery, which 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’ sentiments echo those of quarterback Dak Prescott, who suffered a season-ending hamstring injury in Week 9. Prescott told Yahoo Sports’ Jori Epstein that he believes in McCarthy “with all my heart.”

“I believe in him with all my heart,” Prescott said in association with Dick’s Sporting Goods. “Obviously I don’t necessarily want to go into the details of it all, but I think he definitely deserves a chance – another contract and the chance to coach this team with more influence. “On his terms” might be a good way to put it.”

Parsons will definitely be back with the Cowboys next season, playing the fifth-year option of his rookie contract. Under these circumstances, it seems sensible to support McCarthy.

Dallas has already agreed to pay Prescott and receiver CeeDee Lamb big money. Prescott’s contract made him the highest-paid player in NFL history, while Lamb’s contract ranks him second among receivers in the league.

Parsons is likely to be next in line after establishing himself as one of the NFL’s best 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 second-team All-Pro.

However, Parsons added that being the highest-paid defensive player was less important to him than that the Cowboys had the resources to build a championship squad.