As the draft dust settles and practice fields stir back to life, many familiar faces are missing from training camps. Though league rules demand attendance and threaten hefty fines, several athletes have chosen to skip voluntary OTAs as contract negotiations intensify behind closed doors. Among them is the 26-year-old linebacker Micah Parsons, who remained notably absent while contract details are hammered out. In contrast, others fought their way back. Dak Prescott, returning from a hamstring injury, made his way back to the field and joined Cowboys OTAs, showing off his mobility as a signal of resolve to others.

Dak Prescott entered 2024 with high hopes after a promising 2023 season. But injuries cut his campaign short after just eight games. Despite that setback, the coaching staff continues to back him. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer made that clear when asked about the most important offensive stat for evaluating Prescott. In a post shared by Calvin Watkins on X, Schottenheimer gave a one-word answer that carried weight: “Wins.” 

Meanwhile, linebacker Micah Parsons, a 2023 Pro Bowler, has also been under the spotlight. He missed early offseason workouts, but head coach Brian Schottenheimer voiced trust in the process. He told Parsons earlier, “This thing is going to get worked out.” The confidence was there. And now, it seems like that patience is starting to pay off. 

In a recent update from ESPN’s Todd Archer on X, the coach stressed the value of full participation. The post began, “No. 1, to have everybody here, perfect attendance is a good thing.” Schottenheimer continued by backing Parsons, saying, “But he’s doing the things he’s supposed to do in terms of he’s training, he’s prepping, he’s been in and he’s been out and nobody is more excited than Micah about what we’re building here and he’s excited to be back in the building doing it.” The team sees him as locked in, even if he took a different route to get there.

Brian Schottenheimer has also hinted that Parsons is slowly heading towards a mentorship role in the organisation, as many new faces have been added in the locker room. Parsons has kept a positive attitude as he attempts to finalise a contract with the Cowboys. 

Micah Parsons’ silent protest

Micah Parsons arrived early for the Dallas Cowboys minicamp. He and Trevon Diggs were spotted at The Star on Monday. This news hit as Parsons is aiming for a contract extension with the Dallas Cowboys that could make him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history. The deal could be worth up to $200 million. Even though the deal is far from being finalised, Parsons has demonstrated a can-do attitude. He is also expected to take part in on-field drills. Trevon Diggs, the veteran cornerback, is also returning to team activities after missing the voluntary portion of the offseason. 

This development is promising for both players, but for different reasons. Diggs is rehabbing a knee injury and has been working away from the facility. His return signals that there is no tension between him and the team. His presence shows a step forward in rehab and team chemistry.  

For Parsons, this camp is significant. He is entering the final year of his current contract and wants a new deal. Negotiations have moved slowly the Cowboys’ salary cap limitations and team owner Jerry Jones’ apparent lack of urgency. Still, his decision to attend camp shows he believes things will be worked out. With 256 tackles and 52.5 sacks so far, Parsons has become one of the NFL’s most dominant pass rushers. His goal is to secure a long-term deal that reflects his impact on the field.

While stars like T.J. Watt, Trey Hendrickson are missing camp to send a message, Parsons is staying committed. Ian Rapoport reported that Watt skipped the Steelers’ minicamp. Some believe this is often the only way to spark urgency from the front office. It worked in CeeDee Lamb’s case last year. Still, Parsons continues to put the team first. His loyalty should push the Jones family to act fast and reward him.