Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons was not present at the club’s first round of organized team activities this offseason, which had many concerned that he was holding out for a new deal.
But apparently, Parsons is willing to put all of that behind him. At least for now.
The superstar pass rusher is participating in OTAs on Wednesday, marking his first appearance at the Cowboys’ voluntary workouts this offseason, via Clarence E. Hill Jr. of The Fort Worth Star Telegram.
Micah Parsons Is Due For a New Deal
Parsons became eligible for a contract extension this offseason. However, Dallas exercised his fifth-year option, so he is still under team control through 2025.
As a result, the Cowboys may be playing the long game with Parsons, especially considering they also have to worry about extending quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.
The difference is that both Prescott and Lamb are preparing to enter the final years of their respective deals, so there is more of a sense of urgency to get something done with them.
Lamb is not expected to report for voluntary workouts, and there has been speculation that he could also potentially hold out of training camp.
Parsons, however, isn’t taking that route.
The 25-year-old is coming off of a fantastic 2023 campaign in which he played every game and racked up 64 tackles, 14 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery en route to his third straight Pro Bowl appearance.
Parsons, who played his collegiate football at Penn State, was selected by Dallas with the 12th overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft.
It didn’t take long for Parsons to establish himself as one of the best defensive players in football, as he rattled off 84 tackles, 13 sacks and three forced fumbles during his rookie season, earning a First-Team All-Pro selection and winning Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Then, in 2022, Parsons registered 65 stops, 13.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and a defensive touchdown, notching First-Team All-Pro honors yet again.
Parsons has finished in the top three of Defensive Player of the Year voting in all three of his seasons. He finished second in both 2021 and 2022.
The chances of the Cowboys nailing down a long-term agreement with Micah Parsons before the 2024 campaign seem slim, but stranger things have happened.
