The ongoing saga of Micah Parsons’ contract extension has overshadowed the Dallas Cowboys’ preseason preparations. But at long last, there may be reason for optimism.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, head coach Brian Schottenheimer insisted that he is confident that Parsons will be involved when the Cowboys kick off against the Philadelphia Eagles on September 4.
“I think at the end of the day, we feel like Micah’s going to be out there when we line up against Philadelphia here in 15 days or whatever it is,” Schottenheimer said before practice on Wednesday.
He was then asked whether that is likely to be with an extended contract, or without one.
Schottenheimer replied: “I feel good that Micah’s going to be out there against the Philadelphia Eagles.”
There was a certain vagueness to Schottenheimer’s response, but he certainly seems convinced that Parsons will be staying with the team to begin 2025. Parsons still has one year remaining on his five-year contract in Dallas and he is set to earn $24 million this season. This is the final year of his rookie deal.
The Cowboys have until Tuesday, August 26 to make the all-important personnel decisions and reduce their team to a 53-man active roster. But even if Parsons is still in the team, will he really be fit enough to play at his usual level for the opener against the reigning champions the following week? Schottenheimer believes so.
“Micah’s another guy, he takes great care of his body. Again, you’d like it sooner rather than later, but Micah’s going to be prepared,” the Dallas coach said.
“I go back to the thing that each situation is different. Micah knows his body as well as anybody. The best thing of him being here is that he has been able to do some of the walk-throughs.”
He continued: “He has been able to be in the meetings. He understands some of the calls and the different packages and stuff that we’re going to use. That’s a huge advantage. Then obviously the physical side of it, usually the players are the experts with where their bodies are.”
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