Sophia
FRISCO, Texas – The Dallas Cowboys and their transcendent All-Pro edge rusher, Micah Parsons, find themselves in a high-stakes race against the clock. With just eight days remaining until the Cowboys kick off their 2025 NFL season against the Super Bowl LIX champion Philadelphia Eagles on September 4, a simmering contract dispute has reached a critical juncture, now complicated by Parsons reportedly seeking a second medical opinion on his back.
The Contract Conundrum: Health or Hold-In?
Since the Cowboys opened training camp in Oxnard, California, in late July, Parsons has been conspicuously absent from team practices, citing a back injury. This “hold-in” tactic—where a player attends meetings but refrains from on-field work to avoid fines while pressing for a new deal—has been a persistent subplot throughout the offseason.
The situation intensified this week when an MRI on Parsons’ back reportedly came back clean. Following these results, the Cowboys publicly announced that Parsons was medically cleared to practice. This move by the organization is widely perceived as a strategic maneuver, signaling that his continued absence is now tied to his contract negotiations rather than his physical health.
“Yeah, again, there’s always a chance for more tests and things like that, but at this time we do [consider Parsons cleared for practice],” Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer confirmed on Tuesday. “Yes.”
Parsons Responds: A Second Opinion and Airport Sighting
In a fresh twist, NFL Media reported that Parsons, 26, is now seeking a second opinion on his back. The All-Pro was spotted at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport on Wednesday, fueling speculation about his immediate plans. The Cowboys are scheduled to return to the practice field on Friday, making Parsons’ next steps crucial for the team’s preparations.
One-on-One with Schottenheimer: A ‘Very Good Conversation’
Adding another layer to the unfolding drama, Coach Schottenheimer revealed he had a private, hour-long conversation with Parsons on Sunday. Their discussion reportedly covered a range of topics, including a viral image of Parsons lying alone on a training table at AT&T Stadium during Dallas’ 31-13 preseason victory over the Atlanta Falcons. This image, combined with Parsons reportedly scrubbing Cowboys references from his social media and posting cryptic TikToks, had intensified the public narrative around his discontent.
“Micah and I had a long conversation, probably talked for about an hour about a lot of different things. Addressed a number of different issues and things like that,” Schottenheimer stated. “At this point, I’m going to keep that between he and I, but we had a very, very good conversation.”
The Urgency of Friday’s Practice
The critical question now facing the Cowboys is when Parsons will finally take the practice field. While a “hold-in” differs from a “hold-out”—like the one All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb staged before signing a four-year, $136 million extension last August—Parsons has still participated in team walkthroughs and attended meetings, giving him a foundational understanding of the defense.
“It’s different for everybody. The fact he’s been here gives him a little bit of a leg up, he knows the defense and that could be a completely different story if he wasn’t here,” Schottenheimer explained. “But again, at the end of the day, we want him out there as soon as possible. When he’s feeling up to it and all those things is a big factor into it. But every day he can get out there and get reps would be great. … The best way to get good at football is to play football. I would say as soon as possible would be the desired effect.”
Week 1 Outlook: Disruptive, Not Dominant?
Despite the ongoing uncertainty, Schottenheimer remains confident that Parsons will be on the field for the season opener against the Eagles. “He wants to make sure he feels good and all that stuff. Again, I haven’t changed my tune on the way I feel [that Parsons will play Week 1], and like I said, very, very good conversation about a lot of different things,” Schottenheimer affirmed. “So the power of conversation I think is great. Having the conversations with him and even having a conversation with some of the players today, it just reminds you the people said of this business is really important.”
However, the coach tempered expectations regarding Parsons’ potential snap count in Week 1. “Again, there will be a ramp-up plan for him, and when he lines up out there to play, do I think he would play 75 plays and every play? Probably not,” Schottenheimer admitted. “I don’t think that’s real, but I do think that he can be very disruptive like we all know.”
The Ticking Clock for Jerry Jones
As the days dwindle, the pressure mounts on Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones to finalize a long-term deal with one of the NFL’s most dominant defensive players. Should these contract negotiations continue to linger, they threaten to disrupt not only the team’s on-field performance but also its broader football operations. The clock is ticking, and for the Dallas Cowboys, time is rapidly running out to secure the future of their defensive cornerstone.
