OXNARD, Calif. — Contention has unfortunately pulled up a seat in the ongoing contract talks, or allegedly lack thereof, between the Dallas Cowboys and their all-world pass rusher, Micah Parsons. Evidence of this arrived on Friday, with the impact of a meteor, when Parsons took to social media to announce he’d formally requested a trade.
He went on to detail the events, as he sees them, that led to this point.
Parsons remains in camp at this time and, roughly 24 hours later, head coach Brian Schottenheimer was faced with questions regarding the most glaring early challenge to the establishment of his culture and era and Dallas: a trade request from one of the most popular and productive players in NFL history.
"I've talked to Micah," he said. "I've talked to all of our guys. Great conversations. Not going to share with you guys, but good conversations.
"I'm not going to continue to talk about Micah's contract situation. A lot of great things are going on. I get it. Seriously, you guys have a tough job to do, and you're gonna get bored with this press conference if we keep asking it. But again, I had great conversations with him. You guys know me, I'm transparent. I talked to all of our guys, always have, always will, and [have] good conversations."
Parsons drew praise from Schottenheimer for his decision to report to training camp despite the unresolved contract news, especially considering how active the four-time Pro Bowler has been in meetings and on the sidelines in helping to coach up his teammates.
It's also painfully clear, however, that Parsons wants a resolution as badly as he wants to get back onto the football field, and as badly as Schottenheimer wants to see his best defensive player out there.
"I would hope [he'd still attend practice]," he said of Parsons. "I expect to see him out there today and again, we'll see about that, but like I said, the conversation and stuff that he and I have had, you know, we talk about a lot of different things and all very positive."
As it stands, Parsons is scheduled to be paid a fully guaranteed $24 million on his fifth-year option, but questions now arise regarding his willingness or unwillingness to miss games and suffer substantial penalty — game checks that exceed $1.3 million weekly.
The Cowboys' front office has yet to issue a statement after hearing/reading Parsons' words, but Schottenheimer could not be more clear on his view of Parsons and the situation as a whole.
"Look, our guys are focused on what we're trying to build," he said. "They're focused on what we're trying to build on the field and the meeting rooms. You know, as we get closer to a game week, it's kind of exciting, and the Rams coming in here next week, so there's plenty of things for us to focus on. We're almost through the install. So, you know, I don't think [it's a distraction.]
"It's going to be talked about. We've talked about it anytime you're sitting in this chair with this organization. There's going to be things that are hot topics amongst the masses, but our guys have a very singular focus and that's getting better and getting ready to have a hell of a practice today."
He went on to say he has taken notice to just how many Cowboys' players have taken to social media to show solidarity with Parsons, often by changing their avi to support the edge rusher.
"I think it's good that our guys are loving and supporting one another," said Schottenheimer. "That's a part of being a team."
There's no getting away from the reality of the challenge this presents to Schottenheimer and, as such, it's one he'll continue to navigate as the works to prep the Cowboys for his inaugural season.
