The Dallas Cowboys open training camp next week. Micah Parsons still hasn't received his big-money, long-term contract extension.
After running his football camp in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Parsons said he's not fretting about a deal getting done. He plans just to put his head down and work.
"I just work harder. Like, to me, I look at it like if people don't see your value, you don't cry and sit down. You just work harder. You got to show people your value. I just think that's the difference. Like I go, OK, bet, and I just work," Parsons said on Tuesday, via Nick Farabaugh of PennLive.
Parsons' value to the Cowboys is through the roof. The do-it-all pass rusher has generated at least 12 sacks in all four seasons he's played, earned four Pro Bowls and two first-team All-Pro nods, forced nine fumbles and generated 256 tackles. He's a matchup nightmare for offenses, thanks to his ability to move around and discombobulate plays regardless of the situation.
Parsons is one of several pass rushers seeking a new deal as we head toward the start of the season. T.J. Watt and Trey Hendrickson skipped offseason workouts in search of a new deal. Aidan Hutchinson is eligible for an extension following his third year, but is coming off a season-ending leg injury.
The 26-year-old Parsons isn't worried about what others seek or have already received, like Myles Garrett's $40 million-per-year deal, because he's confident he'll "get mine" regardless of other contracts.
"I'm just going to get mine no matter what," Parsons said. "You know what I mean? Like, the markets change every year. Their salary cap went up, like, another 18% this year. So, if you want to know contracts, all the contracts are based off of percentage. Like, each player, a high-paid player, takes a percentage of the salary cap. So, it's not really the number. It goes off by the salary cap."
The Cowboys edge rusher said his circumstances are different from those of other players still looking for contracts, so he doesn't concern himself with their situation.
"They numbers got nothing to do with mine, and my numbers ain't got nothing to do with them," Parsons said about the edge rusher market. "Like, I'm younger than Hendrickson. I mean, Hutchinson's coming off an injury. Everyone's circumstances is completely different. Hutch is coming off his third year. Usually guys wait four years. So, it just all depends. Watt. I mean, he's up there with Myles. So, you know, it's different. Everyone's circumstance is different."
Parsons participated in offseason workouts, deciding not to hold out to put pressure on the Cowboys to get a deal done. We'll see how much he does when Cowboys camp opens next week. Last year, it came down to the wire for Dallas to get extensions done with CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott. Jerry Jones and the Cowboys appear to be sticking to that timeline when it comes to Parsons in 2025.
