FRISCO - We were given no indication from the Dallas Cowboys pass-rushing linebacker Micah Parsons would be showing up to work on Thursday.
So we will work on the assumption that they are as mildly surprised - and wildly pleased - to see him striding into The Star, his recent travel plans behind him.
While a new deal has been discussed and per CowboysCountry.com's reporting maybe valued at more than $40 million APY and thought to last around five years, so far, there have been no substantial developments between Micah and the Cowboys regarding the finalization of an extension.
Yes, ideas have been pitched back and forth, but the longer it goes without getting done, the more fans shift nervously and angrily in their seats.
Training camp looms as a "real" deadline in negotiations for Micah and Dallas, with Parsons stating that it is crucial for him to have a deal in place by the time he arrives in Oxnard.
Given the magnitude of the deal and the player, it is no surprise that Micah's contract getting done is the biggest training camp storyline for Dallas as the late-July move to Oxnard awaits.
As of Tuesday morning here inside The Star? No, Parsons was not present ... and coach Brian Schottenheimer was unconcerned.
"We talked a couple of days ago,'' the coach said, adding that he "assumes'' Parsons will be in the building for upcoming mandatory work.
Ah, but wait ...
At about 2:10 p.m. ... shortly after the end of practice ... here came Micah down the hallway, as noted by colleague Saad Yousuf ...
Parsons, who just turned 26 years old, is arguably the the best pass rusher in football. The idea of him earning a $200 million contract - maybe the biggest non-QB deal ever - is almost inevitable.
Is a camp absence inevitable, too?
With the contracts of Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb dragging through training camp last offseason, Parsons won't want to suffer a similar fate.
So far, Parsons has been in and out of OTAs, and being voluntary, there's nothing wrong with that, although in an ideal world, he would attend. Mandatory mini camp is just around the corner - another "deadline'' on June 10 - and Micah is expected to attend, but in what capacity is unknown.
Dallas has had a solid offseason in Brian Schottenheimer's first go-around as head coach. The missing piece? A Parsons contract extension to let out all of the unnecessary tension.
"Deadlines make deals," owner Jerry Jones once famously said to us way back when, and we are quickly approaching the biggest deadline in Parsons' contract talks. ... with Micah showing up on Tuesday nothing but a positive sign.
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