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Micah Parsons has held in throughout training camp and preseason amid a tense contract dispute with the Dallas Cowboys.
The 26-year-old pass-rusher is set to play on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract this season but has requested a trade. This raises questions about his availability before the Cowboys’ regular-season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 4 at 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock).Â
Cowboys rookie head coach Brian Schottenheimer remains confident he will play in the road game, whether he signs an extension before the regular season or not.
It’s hard to understand why Schottenheimer seems sure Parsons will suit up in Week 1. Both parties are reportedly making little progress in contract negotiations.
On a Tuesday episode of his podcast, ESPN’s Adam Schefter said the Cowboys and Parsons could be headed toward a “divorce.” However, longtime NFL reporter Josina Anderson refuted that claim, indicating the club wants to find a way to keep him.
Parsons hasn’t said if he’ll sit out of regular-season games without a new deal. Dallas shouldn’t test whether he will.Â
The team could struggle to win games without the two-time first-team All-Pro. Since Dallas took him with pick No. 12 in the 2021 NFL Draft, the former Penn State Nittany Lions star has 52.5 sacks.Â
This isn’t the first time the Cowboys have dragged their feet in contract talks with a star player. Last season, Dallas signed quarterback Dak Prescott to a four-year, $240M deal hours before its Week 1 matchup against the Cleveland Browns.Â
Considering that, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Cowboys did something similar with Parsons. Even if they signed him shortly before the season, it would still be a massive relief for Schottenheimer.Â
The coach already faces enough problems in trying to turn around a team that went 7-10 last season. Giving Parsons a new deal would solve one of them.
