There’s a certain kind of silence that says more than words can convey, and that kind occurs when one of the NFL’s most feared edge rushers is not talking about money, headlines, or history. However, he is completely locked in, buried in the sand, performing agility runs during dawn drills, sweat dripping from his brow. For Micah Parsons, the contract chatter can wait. The grind can’t! Because as the season approaches, the spotlight comes to how prepared the NFL stars are.
As the Dallas Cowboys‘ training camp inches closer, the 2021 Defensive Rookie of the Year hasn’t missed a beat, not in OTAs, not in minicamp, and certainly not on the beach, where he recently trained with DTs Osa Odighizuwa, Solomon Thomas, and Tyrus Wheat. Parsons’ workout is more than a training session; it’s a statement that he is ready! One rep at a time is his motto. On the other hand, as the franchise is focused on stalling on what many expect to be a record-breaking deal, Parsons is building chemistry and setting the tone with the guys in the trenches as he seems to return faster than ever before.
The clearest message came not from a podcast or press conference but from an Instagram story. After pro trainer Lance captioned their workout, “It takes what it takes”, Parsons reposted it with a five-word hammer: “That it do! Just work.” That message isn’t just motivational poster material, but it’s a sharp elbow to the narrative that contract drama could derail his focus. ESPN’s Adam Schefter added fuel to the conversation, saying “positive conversations” were happening behind the scenes and a deal is likely “in the coming weeks.” But until pen hits paper, Parsons is letting his Instagram stories and his work during his training sessions do the talking.
This commitment is especially loud given Dallas’ recent offseason vibes. With Brian Schottenheimer bringing a “brotherhood-first” philosophy with paintball trips, team outings, and even Greek dancing with QBs, building locker room trust has become mission critical. After last year’s tension between Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence spilled online, the turnaround is palpable. Parsons‘ training alongside other linemen isn’t just for show. It’s planned leadership that shows Jerry Jones and the front office that he can do more than simply get sacks; he can also help develop a winning culture.
Colin Cowherd says Micah Parsons doesn’t deserve historic contract
On a recent episode of The Herd, Colin Cowherd threw cold water on Parsons’ contract buzz, picking apart the numbers: “He’s got 52.5 career sacks… 10.5 are against Washington, 5.5 against Carolina, 4.5 on the Giants. That’s a big chunk against three awful teams.” The takeaway? Cowherd doesn’t see elite, but instead sees some inflated stats from weak competition.
That critique, however, misses more than it hits. Parsons has 256 tackles, 9 forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries across just four seasons. And all while drawing double teams and flipping between linebacker and edge rusher. Of course, several sacks came against teams who were having a hard time. But effect isn’t just a stat sheet. It’s the pressures that change the momentum of the game, the edge speed that changes the game plans, and the presence that opposing OCs have to deal with on every snap.
“Boom or bust was great for Jerry Jones in the oil business,” Cowherd argued. “It’s not great for pass rushers.” Yet in today’s NFL, disruption is the currency of elite defense. Parsons doesn’t just get sacks; he tilts the field. Cowherd may not like it, but his importance goes beyond the box score.
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With training camp looming and the pressure getting higher up in Dallas, Parsons’ silent campaign continues, not with holdouts or headlines, but with hand-fighting drills, relentless beach sprints, and a five-word war cry: “That it do! Just work.” It might not show up on the salary cap spreadsheet yet, but the Cowboys’ defense already knows what it’s worth.
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