The Dallas Cowboys and superstar linebacker Micah Parsons have been mentioned in rumors all offseason long. With the star pass rusher needing a new contract extension, fans and the media alike have been waiting to see what team owner Jerry Jones will do next.
So far, Jones has not worked out a new deal with Parsons. His time to do so may be running thin.
Parsons took a big step by showing up for voluntary offseason workouts this year, which isn't something he's done in years past. He is showing the signs that Jones wanted to see from him as far as commitment to the team is concerned.
While speaking to the media, Parsons sent a very clear message to Jones amid the contract situation.
"Yeah, I think I’ll still be around," Parsons said. "For me, I’ve still go to learn the playbook. I’m not so much of an iPad person, where I can just keep learning. I’ve got to walk through it."
It's what Parsons said next that drew a lot of eyes and was very clearly a note to Jones.
“Maybe so much I might not be on the field part of it, but I’ll be there learning it, so that way, at the least, I’ll be ready for Week 1," he said.
What Parsons is clearly saying is that he's not going to play on the field until he gets his new deal. If Jones wants to see him actually working on the field, he'll need to pay him.
During the 2024 NFL season, Parsons played in 13 games for the Cowboys. He racked up 43 total tackles, 12 sacks, two forced fumbles, and a defended pass. He has recorded 52.5 sacks and nine forced fumbles in 63 career games.
Jacob Camenker of USA Today recently projected Parsons' next deal to be worth around $201 million over the course of five years. Now, it's on Jones to decide whether or not he wants to pay that kind of price.
