On Tuesday, Cowboys star edge rusher Micah Parsons drew attention yet again, not on the practice field, but at the team facility. Although Parsons missed his fourth consecutive Organized Team Activity (OTA), he made a notable entrance later in the day.
During what was slated as a routine gathering, Parsons joined his teammates in the locker room, exuding a cool demeanor as he smiled at the media while sidestepping any probing questions. The occasion? Photo day, with players donning team colors for a series of formal snapshots.
Parsons, amidst speculations of a contract extension, has been selectively participating in the Cowboys' voluntary offseason program. As the Cowboys approach the conclusion of their offseason activities, capped by a mandatory minicamp next week, Coach Brian Schottenheimer shrugged off concerns regarding Parsons' absence from OTAs.
"Being present doesn’t necessarily mean being here all the time," said Schottenheimer. "It’s about maintaining a presence with the team, even if it isn't physical. Some of the most impactful work happens away from the field, sometimes in collaboration with other NFL players."
At 25, Parsons finds himself at a crossroads. Eligible for an extension post-2023, he enters the final year of his contract with a hefty $24 million slated under the fifth-year option. As Parsons eyes a potential contract that could exceed Ja'Marr Chase's annual average of $40.25 million, these OTAs have become a subplot in a much larger narrative.
While the edge rusher’s contract negotiations linger in speculation, executive vice president Stephen Jones remained tight-lipped when asked for updates on Tuesday.
