FRISCO — There was not much to celebrate about the 2024 Dallas Cowboys. A disappointing season saw an onslaught of injuries and significant regression from three straight playoff appearances.
Such misfortune would not deter defensive star Micah Parsons who rallied from his own injury in attempt to salvage something out of the miserable season.
To his credit, his efforts spirited a minimal morale boost amid a 7-10 finish.
This is how Parsons has approached his role with the Cowboys since joining the organization. Dallas’ most prized ambassador has demonstrated unwavering confidence in himself and his team to reach the summit, regardless of circumstance.
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11)
Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
His mindset translates directly to his play on the field where Parsons still managed 12 sacks despite the time missed with his ankle injury. Nothing yet has broken his spirit and he is determined to help build a winner at The Star.
Parsons is expected to receive a contract extension this offseason that would potentially keep him in town for a few more years to spearhead those efforts.
But is there a scenario where he changes that tune? Parsons has kept himself very vocal through the offseason, drawing plenty of headlines over the last few weeks.
Leading up to the Super Bowl, he joked with Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry about the idea of ring chasing down the line: “If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em… In the next four or five years, once I hit 30, and I’m not where I need to be, if that ring isn’t right here fitted….” he said.
That humorous comment came before last week’s “call to action” of his franchise ahead of free agency.
“The talent is there, we just got to be aggressive the same way [other teams] did,” Parsons said Thursday. “I don’t want to sit back and watch other [teams] build and build and us stay the same…. I want to see us become aggressive and get some players that will come in and make an impact.”
It’s no surprise that the most vocal player on the team was the first to sound off in regard to the offseason. All his messaging has been positively focused, but a repeat of the 2024 dramatics may reasonably start to test his patience, even if he gets his deal.
Parsons’ loyalty to the Cowboys is unquestioned. But he clearly wants to win and compete for championships. Business as usual has not worked in that regard for a long time.
Perhaps the Cowboys flip the script and engineer the changes that lift them back into contention. Through his hints or even the brutally honest claims, it’s not impossible that Parsons considers major change down the road if things do not change.
