As speculation about his future continues to bubble, Micah Parsons made it clear Thursday that he is not looking for a contract dispute with the Dallas Cowboys and expects something to be done in time for training camp.
Speaking to reporters, the two-time defensive first-team All-Pro player said he is not looking for a reprieve if there is no contract extension before next season. He sees the importance of being involved in the camp as part of the preparations for the coming season.
“I definitely think I need to be here in camp because honestly, if a big part of the defense is surrounded by your play and your presence, and others are lining up based on you, I need to be here so that I can get these guys accordingly,” Parsons said via the Cowboys website. “We can rush together and build that chemistry.
“So I think it’s extremely important that I’m back at OTAs, minicamp [etc.].”
When it comes time to talk about a new deal, Parsons added that he’s not looking to break the bank and that he sees the value in taking a little less than expected to help the Cowboys find a contender.
“It would just be nice to be surrounded by good players, you know what I mean?” said Parsons. “Players who are going to help you win championships. To me, having $40 million and getting chipped every time and sliding to two with three, four people, I don’t think that sounds that fun. So for me it’s about people who can continue to make a difference and of course we’re going to get Sam [Williams] back; and we’re going to get some [others] back.
“We’ll see how it turns out, but I want to keep as many guys as possible, regardless, they’re going to make the cap work.”
Parsons is so excited to stay in Dallas that he said on the podcast earlier this week about contract talks, “We’re going to figure out a way for me to be a cowboy for life.”
No one wants to contribute to that more than Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. On his weekly radio spot on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, Jones said speculation that Parsons could be traded is unfounded.
“It has never been said in this organization that we don’t have a future with Micah Parsons,” Jones said.
The speculation was fueled by recent comments from Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones about the financial aspect of having numerous high-priced stars in quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and Parsons, should the two sides reach a deal.
“Obviously we’re completely all in on Dak and CeeDee,” Stephen Jones told NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, “but after that you’re still shaping things, including Micah. But Micah is a great player. You do It doesn’t do well in This competition usually leaves guys like Micah out of the house.”
Parsons’ current rookie deal runs through the 2025 season after the Cowboys picked up his fifth-year option, which will pay him just over $21 million per Spotrac. He is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent in 2026 or have the franchise tag placed on him for up to three seasons.
“I don’t need $40 million a year,” Parsons said. “I need to be somewhere where I can have a house on the lake.”
