Few would argue that Dallas Cowboys defensive end Micah Parsons is one of the top pass-rushers in the NFL.
The 25-year-old had the fifth-most pressures (70) and sacks (12), and the 10th-most hurries (44) in the league last season, per Pro Football Focus, despite playing in four fewer games than everyone else.
The season before that, when Parsons was healthy for all 17 games, he led the NFL in pressures (103) and hurries (69), ranked fourth in QB hits (18), and was seventh in sacks (14).
So, now that he’s eligible to sign a contract extension, one would assume locking him up long-term is at the top of the Cowboys’ to-do list. However, multiple reports indicate there hasn’t been any serious traction from either side on hashing out a new deal, prompting Cowboys fans to grow frustrated with the team’s laissez-faire approach to ensuring the team’s biggest star stays put.
And that’s not the only problem. According to a report from Calvin Watkins of the Dallas News, some in the Cowboys’ facility have questioned whether or not Parsons is truly committed to the team, and some key decision-makers are expected to speak with him about fixing his leadership style.
“Last week, another teammate publicly questioned his dedication to the team,” Watkins wrote. “Former head coach Mike McCarthy last year expressed disappointment at Parsons’ absence from voluntary team workouts.
“The team intends to discuss Parsons' attendance at future voluntary workouts, especially to set an example as a team leader, according to a person with direct knowledge of the discussions.”
Parsons is known to be a little rough around the edges, and he hasn’t taken kindly to the criticism he’s received over the last few years (from fans and even his own teammates) for hosting his “The Edge with Micah Parsons” podcast for Bleacher Report, which some believe has distracted him from fully focusing on football.
But despite the negative feedback, Parsons is still one of the top young defensive players in the league, and he’s still due a monster contract extension.
With Myles Garrett signing a four-year extension averaging $40 million per season with the Cleveland Browns, it’s believed that Parsons is looking for something similar. Spotrac projects Parsons’ market value around $36.7 million per year, and the site predicts the four-time Pro Bowler will sign a four-year, $146.75 million extension.
