The Dallas Cowboys have coaching decisions to make as Mike McCarthy's staff faces expiring contracts. But there are some decisions that those in the staff have to make themselves.
Perhaps the biggest one is Mike Zimmer. The Cowboys defensive coordinator will be 69 years old when the 2025 NFL season kicks off in September and it's not a guarantee that he wants to come back if you ask Micah Parsons.
"If I got (Zimmer) back, awesome, I think Zimm might want to come back, I told you he's ready to ride off into the sunset," Parsons told reporters postgame. "To him, it's not even about money anymore, I think he's gotta want to do it."
Parsons, who will have dinner with Zimmer this week, seems to be aware it's a decision the Cowboys defensive coordinator will have to make himself as much as the team that would need to extend his deal if it wants to keep him around. For him to come out and say it explicitly and pointing out how much "want" is a factor here is very telling. There's a real chance Zimmer might call it a day.
Questions about Zimmer's intentions have increased over the last couple of weeks, when the coach talked to reporters about how the 2024 season had been hard for him.
"It's been hard, I'm not going to lie about that," Zimmer candidly said following Week 17. "It's hard, it's been hard."
As for Parsons, he was not interested in answering questions about whether or not he wants the coaching staff back, openly telling reporters it wasn't up to him.
"I've learned a long time ago it's not about what I want," Parsons said. "It's business, I'm not the owner, I'm not the (general manager) (...) They have to decide if they want me back, you're asking the questions to the wrong guy."
However, Parsons did say he believes there's something special about the locker room.
"This is the lowest of the lows," Parsons said. "If you give this locker room another opportunity and attack this thing the right way, I promise you will be a playoff contender team next year."
