By Sunday 
While some NFL stars are choosing to sit out and apply pressure for new contracts, Micah Parsons is taking a different route—one that speaks volumes without missing a single snap.
The Dallas Cowboys superstar was present and accounted for as the team kicked off mandatory minicamp this week. Parsons’ attendance comes despite ongoing contract negotiations—and no new deal yet in place.
Loyalty Over Leverage?
Parsons has made it clear: he’s not holding out. When asked if he’d show up for training camp even without a contract, his answer was straightforward.
“I’ll be out there,” Parsons told reporters confidently.
He didn’t confirm whether he’d be on the field or just physically present, but the message is clear—he’s still showing up, even as others opt out.
That decision sets him apart from fellow edge rushers T.J. Watt (Steelers) and Trey Hendrickson (Bengals), who both skipped minicamp amid their own contract dramas. Parsons, meanwhile, is sticking to his word and hoping the front office takes note.
Waiting on Jerry
According to Parsons, talks with team owner Jerry Jones have been more about football than finances.
“I’m still hanging tight,” he said. “I understand it’s up to (Jerry Jones), he gives the green light on everything. So hopefully something is done by next month.”
Parsons is eligible for an extension and likely headed toward becoming the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league. With the market for elite defenders heating up—and others taking a harder stance—his calm and steady approach is both refreshing and risky.
The Bigger Picture
Parsons has been everything the Cowboys could ask for: dominant on the field and dependable off it. He’s earned All-Pro honors, transformed the Dallas defense, and now he’s showing maturity and patience while the team sorts out the dollars.
It’s a quiet statement—but a powerful one.
The Cowboys have a chance to reward that trust, lock up their defensive anchor, and send a message that loyalty still matters in the modern NFL.