Micah Parsons sends powerful message to Jerry Jones without saying a word
The Dallas Cowboys started their voluntary OTAs just in the midst of edge rusher Micah Parsons’ contract drama.
On Monday, the Dallas Cowboys held their first practice of voluntary OTAs (organized team activities). There always seems to be contract drama somewhere with Jerry Jones’ team, and this year, it’s with edge rusher Micah Parsons.
Parsons’ contract dilemma
Parsons’ current rookie contract with the Cowboys will end at the end of the 2025-26 season and he is looking for an extension. Not just an extension though. Parsons is looking to become the first defensive player to ever receive a $200 million contract.
As one of the league’s best defenders - he’s never logged fewer than 12 sacks in a season - Parsons has a bit of leverage. Still, he and the Cowboys have not yet agreed to a long-term extension. As wide receiver CeeDee Lamb did last year (and many have done before him), the option to skip out on practices does exist.
Parsons could especially miss the Cowboys’ voluntary camps since they’re not mandatory. However, Parsons actually did show up to practice on Monday.
#DallasCowboys Edge Rusher Micah Parsons is in attendance for the teams 1st day of Voluntary Workouts and is not holding out for his new deal, according to a team source.
— The Cowboys Network (@TheCowboysNet) April 14, 2025
In the previous 2 years, Parsons mostly worked out on his own before OTAs, minicamp. pic.twitter.com/WW27ouRGAJ
“I’ve got to be around the guys,” Parsons said back in December. “There’s going to be rookies, there’s going to be free agents – guys that come here – you don’t know who’s going to be there, so there’s a chemistry part and people know what you can do, but people also got to see it from a leader aspect. So I still gotta be there for that part.”
So rather than holding out as leverage, which many expected of Parsons, especially after top pass rushers like Myles Garrett recently signed huge deals, Parsons chose to attend, showing his leadership and commitment instead.
His presence is especially meaningful as the Cowboys kick off offseason workouts under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer. Parsons had previously taken heat for missing OTAs but vowed to be more of a leader this season - and he followed through, seemingly utilizing reverse psychology.
Although Jerry Jones and the Cowboys front office haven’t yet finalized Parsons’ contract extension, his decision to show up speaks volumes, and it could put added pressure on the organization to get a deal done.
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