Micah Parsons Reports To Cowboys Training Camp Amid Unsettled Contract

Dallas Cowboys’ pass rusher Micah Parsons reported to training camp in Oxnard, California, on Monday, but what’s not clear is whether he will take part in practice when the Cowboys begin workouts Tuesday as he awaits a long-term extension.

Owner and general manager Jerry Jones and coach Brian Schottenheimer did not directly say Parsons would practice, leading to speculation that there could be something of a hold-in for the four-time Pro Bowler.

The Cowboys and Parsons’ agent, David Mulugheta, have not had discussions on a contract extension. Neither Jerry Jones nor Stephen Jones, the Cowboys’ executive vice president, had spoken with Mulugheta about a deal.

In March, Parsons and Jerry Jones met in the owner’s office at The Star in Frisco, Texas.

Jones would not say whether he believed they were on the verge of a deal, but said, “Let’s put it like this, we went over every possible detail that you can go over and had an agreement.”

In the past, Jones has had direct conversations with players that have led to contracts without the agents being involved. Parsons has asked the Cowboys to work through Mulugheta on a new deal.

Jones said he is OK with dealing with “dangling participles.”

“Two years ago, we were here, and I think Zack Martin wasn’t here,” Jones said. “You had a situation although he had a contract, so you worked through that…. There’s nothing new about what we’re talking about relative to contracts. That’s been going on a long time; if you say, ‘Well, if you don’t get him in, are you going to lose the first two games and go on and win the Super Bowl?’ Well, I’ll take that.”

That was in reference to Emmitt Smith missing the first two games of the 1993 season in a contract dispute before returning and leading the Cowboys to a second Super Bowl win in a row.

Since Jones’ conversation with Parsons, a number of high-priced pass rushers have signed, including Pittsburgh Steelers’ T.J. Watt, who became the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL with a deal that averages $41 million per season.

Jones said he does not worry about the price going up as the wait goes on.

“It’s just the times you’re in and the money you’re at,” Jones said. “I’m not trying to be cute, but it’s all relevant. Again, I don’t have any issues. I’m not concerned at all about what our team can be this year and develop into, and what we make of our training camp. I’m not at all concerned about a contract that involves or affects that in any way. I can’t emphasize that enough.”