The Dallas Cowboys‘ situation with Micah Parsons has been very up-in-the-air ever since the three-time All-Pro edge rusher submitted a trade request at the start of the month.
Jerry Jones, when asked back on August 5th whether he was confident that former Defensive Rookie of the Year would suit up for Week one, gave the impression that his playing status for the opener against the Philadelphia Eagles on September 4th was very much in doubt.
However, speaking on Wednesday, head coach Brian Schottenheimer delivered some much-needed good news for the fanbase.
Although he did not venture near any level of certainty, the rookie HC “feels good” about the probability of Parsons playing against the Eagles in just over two weeks time, via Underdog NFL.
Schottenheimer Optimistic That Parsons Will Play In Week 1 Despite Contract Battle
The situation is very much fluid, with Parsons having requested a trade and the organization seemingly having no plans to honor that wish. It is also unclear if this is simply part of a negotiation tactic to put further pressure on Dallas to get an extension done, or an actual, bona fide desire to exit the franchise.
The former Penn State star is playing on the fifth year option of his rookie deal, worth around $24 million in 2025. Now that deals have been made for edge rushers like Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby and TJ Watt, Parsons is next up.
And since Watt just broke Garrett’s previously record-setting 4 year, $160 million contract ($40 million/year) with a 3 year, $123 million ($41 million/year) of his own; the younger Parsons will most probably expect his forthcoming extension to supersede both.
Yet, it seems like considering the way things are going from his vantage point, “Schotty” feels at least vaguely confident that he will have his best defensive player at the ready come the start of the regular season.
Will Parsons Remain With The Cowboys Long Term?
Adam Schefter, speaking to Pat McAfee on Tuesday, predicted that the fifth year DE and Dallas will likely remain together – at least until the end of the year.
“I think to me today,” Schefter said to McAfee on Tuesday, “It feels like they’re kinda gonna put up with each other this year. And then, the Cowboys are gonna have the franchise tag and they would put the franchise tag on him, and then next offseason would be the offseason of the Micah trade. I think that that one, of all the scenarios, feels to be the most logical today.”
Schefter also acknowledges that it is still only August, and that there are likely more twists and turns, but unless a team really comes in with a serious, serious offer, Parsons will most likely stay in Dallas for the remainder of the season, even if they pair cannot figure out a deal.
No Cowboys fans want to see the team move on from a player like Parsons – even if it does land the organization a gargantuan haul of picks.
But the fact that Schottenheimer thinks he will probably play feels like at least a step in the right direction.
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