It sadly isn't hard to believe that the Dallas Cowboys still have not signed Micah Parsons to a contract extension.
Despite zero movement in negotiations thanks to the Joneses, Parsons has kept a cool head. While he did not practice at OTAs, he was in and out of the building and kept in touch with coaches and teammates throughout the process.
Perhaps the most encouraging sign is that Parsons will report for the start of mandatory minicamp on Tuesday. The All-Pro defender vowed on social media that he'll be in attendance. The same cannot be said for fellow star pas rushers Trey Hendrickson and T.J. Watt, however.
Micah Parsons to show up for minicamp while other DEs stay home
Multiple reports have confirmed Hendrickson and Watt are not in attendance for Bengals and Steelers minicamp. Both players want new deals, and understandably so, as they rank first and second, respectively, in the NFL in sacks the last two seasons.
Parsons arguably has more equity built up than Hendrickson and Watt. It speaks volumes that he will report for minicamp. The extent to which he participates remains to be seen, but that doesn't really matter. His presence alone will be a huge deal as Brian Schottenheimer works to foster a leadership culture.
Parsons took some pretty loud heat early in his career for a "lack of leadership." Those criticisms were overblown because of the team he plays for, but to his credit he made significant strides in that department last season.
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The Cowboys ' locker room has lost some longtime veteran leaders in recent years, including Zack Martin, Tyron Smith, Jourdan Lewis and DeMarcus Lawrence. Parsons has said he wants to take the leadership torch from them. Showing up to minicamp amid contract negotiations proves he is walking the walk.
You better believe the haters will be out in full force if Parsons doesn't report to camp even though countless players stage holdouts every offseason. Some were brash enough to call Parsons' absence from voluntary OTAs a bad look. All we're saying is that those folks better bring that same energy for Watt and Hendrickson for skipping mandatory minicamp.
Then again, the Steelers and Bengals don't move the needle like the Cowboys. Any storyline in Dallas is amplified ten fold because they are such a massive draw.
Regardless, the Parsons haters are undoubtedly sick on this fine Tuesday in June.