Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy offered some interesting takes on Thursday regarding star pass-rusher Micah Parsons not actively participating in the voluntary offseason program this spring.
"I think any time that you have a chance to be together, it's an opportunity to improve," McCarthy said, as shared by Nick Harris of the club's website and ESPN's Todd Archer. "Whether it's in the mental realm, the physical realm and the emotional connection and so forth. It's a long year. Training camp is really the heightened focus for all of that, but it's definitely an opportunity that's been missed [for Parsons]."
For an article published on Wednesday, Archer said that Parsons' desire for a long-term contract extension "is likeliest to be on the back burner" for the Cowboys as they instead focus on the unsettled futures of quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Dallas holds Parsons' rights through at least the 2025 season via the fifth-year option attached to his rookie contract and could use the franchise tag to retain him through 2026, if necessary.
"Parsons' absence from most of the offseason program has not been a contract ploy but rather his desire to train on his own," Archer added for that article.
McCarthy's words nevertheless may cause one to believe he's upset Parsons isn't embracing more of a leadership role and working with new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. According to Archer, McCarthy was sure to point out on Thursday that "Parsons has been around the facility more than people know" and "has had one-on-one meetings with coaches" to learn about changes Zimmer has planned for the defense.
"He's engaged and he'll be ready when it's time," McCarthy said about Parsons. "I have confidence in that. That interaction is going on [with Zimmer]. I feel comfortable that he will be ready to go."
As shared by ESPN stats, Parsons and Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns finished this past regular season tied for seventh in the NFL with 14 sacks. Garrett ultimately claimed the Defensive Player of the Year Award for the campaign.
Per Patrik Walker of the Cowboys' website, the team's mandatory minicamp is scheduled to begin this coming Tuesday. McCarthy may sing a different tune about Parsons if the two-time first-team All-Pro fails to report to the club on time next week.
