Imagine being an edge rusher in this off-season. You’ve got Maxx Crosby inking a three-year, $106.5 million extension with the Raiders with a sweet $35.5 million yearly. Then, in a swift moment, you witness Myles Garrett sign a four-year deal with the Browns worth $160 million, boasting $123.5 million guaranteed ($40 million per year), making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. Suddenly, all eyes turned to Dallas, where Micah Parsons found himself at the center of the next big contract conversation.

At this point, Parsons feels like Squidward watching SpongeBob and Patrick have all the fun. And of course, NFL Twitter? Already tagging the Cowboys: “Y’all better pay Micah before he starts charging interest.” But nah. Jerry Jones is Jerry Jones. The Cowboys’ boss has a knack for dragging contract extensions.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. The Cowboys kicked off their voluntary workouts on Tuesday, and guess who showed up that day? Yep—you guessed that right. We’re talking about Parsons. For a hot second, it actually felt like a good sign—like maybe, just maybe, that long-awaited contract extension was finally around the corner. But fast forward to now?

Turns out that first-day appearance might’ve just been a one-time thing. Because, according to the Cowboys‘ writer, Clarence Hill, “Micah Parsons did not attend Cowboys voluntary workouts today.” Is it because of his contract talks? Well, it could be. Because let’s be real, by now, it’s pretty much certain that Parsons is eyeing a $200 million deal that could make him the highest-paid non-QB in the league.

To top that off, the edge rusher has directly spoken with Jerry Jones, and both parties have agreed to an extension. “Most of the issues, we are in agreement on. We discussed it all,” Jerry remarked during the annual league meeting earlier this month. But has anything actually gone down yet? Nope. Not even close. And that’s where the team’s QB, Dak Prescott’s advice for Parsons comes in.

“Yeah. I mean, me and Mike have talked in the locker room. Leave that as locker room talks. I’m very confident in that guy and what he can do. Who he is and what and what he wants to do is as important as anything,” Prescott said when asked what advice he’d give Parsons. “And that’s in being a leader. And the contract… I don’t have the full answer for it. I think all of mine would have been done a lot earlier than they were. So, that’s for him to stay positive, and yeah, understand and make sure that his team knows what he wants and what he believes.

At the end of the day, one thing’s clear: the Cowboys’ owner is delaying Parsons’ contract, no doubt. But considering the same thing happened with Prescott earlier, it’s safe to say that Parsons will get his deal anytime soon. But the big question is: If Parsons isn’t at the workout, what’s he up to in the meantime?

Micah Parsons makes an appearance at a retirement press conference with Jerry Jones

In the last decade, if there’s one thing that the Cowboys’ offensive line was known for, it’s surely for their monster O-line trio—Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick, and Zack Martin. For over a decade, these three were the cornerstone of the Cowboys’ offense. However, Frederick called it a career back in 2020 after spending 7 seasons in Dallas. On the other side. Martin hung up his cleats a couple of months back after bulldozing the opposition’s defense for 11 seasons. And now?

Well, it’s time for Tyron Smith to step away as he announced his retirement after playing for 14 seasons in the league. After being drafted by the Cowboys back in the 2011 NFL draft, Smith spent 13 seasons in Dallas before a brief stint with the Jets. Fast forward to now, and the 34-year-old signed a one-day contract to retire as a Cowboy. After that went down, the Cowboys held a retirement ceremony for Smith where the team’s owner, Micah Parsons, and others showed up in support.

And here’s the kicker—during the retirement ceremony, Jerry Jones felt regretful for not winning a Super Bowl with Smith. “It is a tragedy we didn’t go to the Super Bowl with you out there at left tackle…I want to be the first one to shake your hand when you go into the Hall of Fame,” Jerry said. Besides Jerry Jones, Parsons was also in attendance. And that’s not all.

The 25-year-old edge rusher was also getting an individual training with his offseason coach, Lance Deane at The Star. Parsons has confirmed that he’s all in for leading the America’s team’s defense. Now that he’s working out with his off-season coach, it’s a safe sign that the star edge rusher is ready to continue with the team in 2025.

As for his contract extension, the team is reported to offer him a massive deal before the start of the 2o25 season.