OXNARD, Calif. — The spotlight is firmly on the Dallas Cowboys as training camp kicks off in Oxnard, and none other than star pass rusher Micah Parsons has reported to camp. However, there’s a cloud of uncertainty hanging over his participation when the team hits the field for practice on Tuesday, as the fourth-year Pro Bowler is in the middle of contract extension discussions.
Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones, along with head coach Brian Schottenheimer, didn’t explicitly confirm whether Parsons would be stepping onto the practice field, which has led to chatter about a possible “hold-in” situation for the defensive standout. It’s a tactic seen before, where a player shows up to camp but chooses not to participate in practices while awaiting a new deal.
Interestingly, the Cowboys and Parsons’ agent, David Mulugheta, have yet to hold substantive talks about a contract extension. Jones and executive vice president Stephen Jones haven’t had discussions with Mulugheta on this front since that important meeting between Jerry and Parsons back in March. While discussing that meeting, Jones hinted that they explored every detail in their conversation but stopped short of claiming they are close to finalizing a deal.
Looking back, Jones has navigated these waters before, negotiating directly with players. However, Parsons has made it clear he prefers dealing through his agent. Jones humorously referred to handling contract situations as dealing with “dangling participles,” indicating he’s comfortable working through the nuances as they arise.
“We’ve seen this before,” Jones remarked, referencing historical contract negotiations, including the memorable saga of Emmitt Smith missing the first two games of the 1993 season before returning to lead the Cowboys to their second consecutive Super Bowl victory. “If you say, ‘Well, if you don’t get him in, are you going to lose the first two games and then go on to win the Super Bowl?’ I’ll take that,” he added, underscoring his belief in the team’s resilience.
As other elite pass rushers have inked lucrative deals, Parsons’ situation becomes even more intriguing. Just recently, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt set the benchmark for non-quarterbacks with an eye-popping contract averaging $41 million per year. Still, Jones expressed confidence, claiming he isn’t concerned about the rising costs of contracts affecting negotiations with Parsons.
“It’s just the times you’re in and the money you’re at,” Jones stated. “I’m not trying to be cute about it; it’s all relevant. I have no issue and am not concerned at all about what our team can achieve this year, despite contract discussions looming.”
Schottenheimer echoed this sentiment, stating that should Parsons choose to hold back from practice, it wouldn’t hinder the team’s preparation. “Micah is here, and he’s expressed a strong desire to take on more of a leadership role. He’s aiming for greatness, and we’re excited he’s with us,” he said, emphasizing the importance of Parsons’ growth not just as a player but as a leader.
The press conference wasn’t solely fixated on Parsons; it also covered other significant topics, such as cornerback Trevon Diggs’ contract situation. Due to recovering from knee surgery and not meeting the participation threshold during the offseason program, Diggs will see a $500,000 reduction in his 2025 base salary, dropping it to $8 million. This clause—a common mechanism in Cowboys contracts—has now placed Diggs in a unique position as he is among the high-profile players affected.
Jones pointed out that ignoring contract agreements could have lasting implications for the team, which underscores the importance of fidelity to such stipulations.
Reflecting on his long tenure, Jones acknowledged there have been fleeting thoughts about stepping back from his role as general manager during the 29-year Super Bowl drought. Yet, he remains optimistic. “I believe this team has the potential to contend for the championship,” he declared, aligning his vision with that of players like Tyler Smith, who made it clear upon arrival that he believes in the team’s chances this season.
With Dak Prescott leading the charge, the Cowboys are gearing up for a season filled with promise and, perhaps, a few contract narratives to keep an eye on.
