The Dallas Cowboys are sending a message loud and clear. Once you’re out, you’re out. That’s the reality four-time All-Pro Micah Parsons is facing.

After parting ways with the franchise before the season kicked off in September, he’ll return to AT&T Stadium in Week 4 with the Green Bay Packers. Only now, the reunion feels more like bad blood than family ties.

Things became a subject of discussion when Jerry Jones was asked whether the team had planned to honor Parsons’ contributions via a video tribute. “I don’t think that’s appropriate this way. That’s not to diminish Micah. I think Micah has enough welcome out there and we just need to show that we’ve got antidotes for that,” Jones said.

Interesting… Because they gave such tributes to Emmitt Smith and Ezekiel Elliott. While Jones tiptoed around his relationship with Parsons, the pass rusher certainly didn’t mind confirming its demise. 

“I never even heard from Jerry Jones when I got traded, I found out two weeks later through my agent. I haven’t talked to Jerry Jones since OTAs. So, it’s just one of those things,” Parsons said. When things weren’t working out in negotiations, both parties knew an end was coming soon. But it was the billionaire Jerry decided when. Things have been sour since then. 

You know, another interesting thing? Parsons wasn’t expecting anything from the Cowboys. The minute Jones’ words grabbed the headlines, the camera redirected to the four-time All-Pro edge rusher.

His reaction? “There’s a lot of things I can consider disrespectful throughout this process, but I wouldn’t say the tribute is one of them,” ascertained Parsons.

After spending four years with the franchise, he picked up on how things are. Regardless of how much he single-handedly contributed to the Cowboys’ defense, the stark reality is that he is no longer a Cowboy. 

Irrespective of how sour Parsons’ relationship with the franchise is, he loves Dallas, and he knows they, too, love him. “I think Dallas loves me. I think they’re going to give me a good round of applause,” he added. And that would be a tribute Parsons deserves. Jones wasn’t the only one with whom Parsons’ relationship deteriorated. 

Micah Parsons on facing Dak Prescott in Week 4

Shortly after Parsons was traded to the Green Bay Packers, it was reported that he wasn’t a very popular figure in the locker room. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported that quarterback Dak Prescott had issues with Parsons due to his podcast, ‘The Edge with Micah Parsons.’ It was considered “egotistical and self-centered.”

Parsons’ trade news certainly took Prescott by surprise, though not completely. “I can’t say I was completely surprised, but I definitely didn’t think he was going to get traded,” he said. But he was satisfied that a solution had been found for the relentless negotiations. 

However, Parsons seems to have no harsh feelings towards the quarterback. In fact, he only had high praise when asked about facing Prescott in Week 4.

“I think Dak is so good because he’s overly confident. He believes he can make every throw. And I think 90% of the time he does do that,” the Packers’ #1 said following Wednesday’s practice session. “You want your quarterback to have that mentality.”

But does that mean Parsons wouldn’t pressure or sack Prescott? No. 

Parsons isn’t returning as a former Cowboys defensive star. But the Packers’ biggest defensive weapon. As painful as it may be, he will do his job.

“For me, it’s just all about playing another game and just doing what I do best, and that’s just be a disruptive football player,” Parsons added.

The upcoming clash at AT&T Stadium is just another game, another week for the edge rusher.