FRISCO, Texas – Regular attendance at the Dallas Cowboys offseason program and three-time All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons haven’t gone hand-in-hand throughout his career. Parsons has previously opted to train independently instead of attending the voluntary offseason program. He has attributed this choice to his “style.” Before the 2025 NFL Draft, he mentioned his intention to familiarize himself with the new playbook introduced by Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus.
“I’ve still got to learn the playbook, and I’m not much of an iPad person, so I need to go through it practically. I won’t be on the field, but I’ll be learning and preparing for Week 1,” Parsons said on April 23.
Parsons has been reasonably true to his word during the first two days of OTAs, which began Monday. New head coach Brian Schottenheimer revealed that Parsons was present at the team facility on Monday; however, he was absent from OTA practice on Tuesday, which was the first to allow media access.
Schottenheimer’s remarks reflected on Parsons’ presence: “Yeah, he showed up a little bit these last couple of days. I don’t know if he’s here today. He was here yesterday and had a great conversation over lunch. He’s been great when he’s around. For practices, participation is voluntary, which varies among players.”
On the final year of his rookie contract, Parsons has conveyed his desire for a new deal averaging over $40 million annually, which is higher than the recent contract signed by Myles Garrett with the Cleveland Browns. Recently, news about massive contracts for defensive ends has surged, with Maxx Crosby of the Raiders signing a three-year, $106.5 million extension.
Parsons, who is younger than his counterparts, believes he is at his prime compared to players in the latter stages of their careers. He stated, “I feel like I’m more in my prime than many of these guys who are further along in their careers.”
Sacks Leaders in the Last 5 NFL Seasons
| Player | Sacks |
|---|---|
| T.J. Watt | 73.5 |
| Myles Garrett | 72.0 |
| Trey Hendrickson | 70.5 |
| Nick Bosa | 53.5 |
| Micah Parsons | 52.5 |
Despite having met his attendance mark this OTA, a rift still exists between Parsons’ expectations and what the Cowboys are prepared to offer, leading to a potentially tense few months ahead. Schottenheimer has focused on fostering relationships during his first season as head coach and has taken the initiative to engage with players by attending their charity events.
Schottenheimer emphasized Parsons’ leadership role for the team: “Micah is going to be a leader for us. His presence here during offseason is crucial for our team’s cohesion.”
He also attended Parsons’ philanthropy event, which aided in strengthening their rapport. Parsons expressed his views, stating that it was essential for his relationship with the new head coach and the team’s collective progress: “I’ve wanted to be a Cowboy, so being here matters to me.”
However, if Parsons has no new contract by the end of July, he may opt to skip training camp despite his acknowledgment of its significance for player preparation and season readiness.
“I want to hit the ground running this season and build good momentum. It is essential to secure wins early on,” Parsons stated.
Understanding owner Jerry Jones’ tendency to delay such negotiations increases the possibility of a holdout, as seen previously with other star players on the Cowboys’ roster.
