Dallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said he expects star Micah Parsons to take part in the team’s voluntary offseason workouts despite ongoing contract negotiations.
The workouts begin Monday.
The Dallas Morning News reported late last week that Parsons was seeking a record-setting $200 million contract extension that would make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. And while there had been thoughts that the pass rusher would hold out of team activities until a deal is done, Schottenheimer said at the NFL annual meeting in Florida that he didn’t think so.
“Hey, look, at the end of the day this is a business and when you’re dealing with the money that’s being tossed around, not just with Micah but with the big-name players, negotiations sometimes take time,” the first-year coach said, per ESPN. “I feel very comfortable. Micah said he’s going to be around. I think that he wants to be. I think we’re all very comfortable with that.”
With the departure of longtime defensive leader DeMarcus Lawrence, Parsons has a chance to fill that void.
“Micah’s excited about the opportunity to step up in a leadership role,” Schottenheimer said. “There’s no reason he shouldn’t. The best teams I’ve ever been around, their best players are their best leaders, and so again, I think the more you’re around, the more you have a chance to influence the guys, and not just the guys that are back but there’s a bunch of new faces. We’ve added the free agency group. We’re going to add some guys in the draft. That’s a part of the puzzle. But I know he’s excited about that. I think that’s one of the reasons why he will be around.”
Parsons, 25, recorded 12 sacks, 43 tackles and two forced fumbles in 13 games (all starts) last season.
A Pro Bowl selection in each of his first four seasons in the league, Parsons has totaled 256 tackles (63 for loss), 112 quarterback hits, 52.5 sacks, nine forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries in 63 career games (all starts).
