Micah Parsons present as Dallas Cowboys open training camp. Will he participate?
Despite not having a contract extension that he’s been seeking all offseason, Dallas Cowboys defensive end Micah Parsons arrived at training camp on Monday, just as he promised at the conclusion of mandatory minicamp.
Unlike in 2024 when wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and in 2023 when offensive lineman Zack Martin held out in search of new contracts, Parsons’ presence is a welcomed sight for the team as they look to navigate locking him in for the long-term past 2025.
It is unknown if Parsons will actually participate on the field when practices begin on Tuesday, but his presence has been celebrated by the Cowboys’ brass.
“When you’re in that top quartile of the team, leadership is really big,” owner and general manager Jerry Jones said. “I’m appreciative of Micah being here, I really am...I’m big into showing leadership if you’re going to be one of these guys that’s in the top drawer of the money.”
Despite a new system being installed on the defensive side under new coordinator Matt Eberflus, there isn’t any concern from a coaching standpoint in case Parsons does remain on the sideline during practices.
“However this things plays out, it’s going to play out,” head coach Brian Schottenheimer said. “The fact that Micah is here, he’s talked all offseason about wanting to take more of a leadership role. He’s talked about wanting to be great. We’re excited he’s here. There’s a lot of ways to get this done, but we’re excited to see him take the next step as a leader.”
There was a time in the offseason where it may have been expected for a deal to get done before the team’s arrival at camp. But in what Parsons explained as a situation that the front office has “overcomplicated” this offseason, talks still remain in the early stages with his representation headed by agent David Mulugheta.
Still, there doesn’t appear to be any urgency in getting it done.
“There’s no anticipation at all,” Jerry Jones said. “We’re just working with what it is. There’s no angst over it. He’s doing a good job being here.”
“Obviously, we don’t have a deal with Micah,” executive vice president Stephen Jones said. “We have work to do.”
Two offseasons ago, the Cowboys were able to sign cornerback Trevon Diggs and offensive tackle Terence Steele to contract extensions while the team was at training camp. Last offseason, they were able to get a deal done with Lamb soon after returning from Oxnard. The hope is that the opportunity to be around each other for almost four weeks could foster an environment to get a deal done with Parsons this time around.
“When you’re together here at camp,” Stephen Jones said. “It makes for a good environment to get some things done before the season starts.”
This story was originally published July 21, 2025 at 4:27 PM.
