The Dallas Cowboys have been active during the free-agency period, yet they haven’t completed one crucial task: securing a contract extension for Micah Parsons. Brian Schottenheimer, the Cowboys’ head coach, remains optimistic that the team will finalize a deal with the four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher.

“Micah has consistently expressed his commitment to being with us. It’s important to remember, this is a business, and numerous elements influence a contract,” Schottenheimer mentioned to NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero at the Annual League Meeting on Sunday.

“Both parties are involved in every negotiation—it’s not just our side but also Micah’s. This is a chance for Micah, particularly with the departure of some leaders, to step up. He’s eager to embrace more leadership duties.

“So, we have ample time, and we’ll approach it step-by-step. My discussions with Micah have been positive, and I believe he’s in a good place. He understands it’s business.” This is a new challenge for Schottenheimer to tackle as a rookie head coach. Around this time last year, the Cowboys were negotiating extensions for wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott.

Dallas eventually secured Lamb before the 2024 season with a four-year, $136 million contract extension, but not before Lamb skipped organized team activities and held out of training camp, which may have contributed to his slow start to the season. Prescott, although present for camp, took even longer to finalize his contract, finally signing on the morning of Sunday, Week 1.

Schottenheimer wishes to prevent the Cowboys’ offseason story from becoming a distraction to the team, yet he remains hopeful that Dallas will finalize a deal soon. “The key is not to let it become a distraction,” Schottenheimer elaborated. “It will get done. [In 2023] it was Zack (Martin). This is a trend you’re observing more frequently, not just with the Cowboys but across the league.

The hold-ins, or whatever they’re called, shouldn’t be distractions. They are professional athletes. The agreement will be reached. Naturally, we prefer deals to be concluded sooner rather than later. Both sides are involved in every negotiation. Just be assured that when they return, if they are the right type of individual, which these guys are, they’ll be ready to perform.”

Since being selected as the 12th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Parsons has demonstrated his talent as one of the league’s top pass rushers. Having been chosen twice for the First-Team All-Pro in four seasons, Parsons has recently been vocal about the team’s offseason strategies, learning a new defensive scheme, and taking on a leadership role following Demarcus Lawrence’s departure.

Schottenheimer is hopeful that the Cowboys will soon reach a mutually beneficial agreement. When asked about the possibility of Parsons not being with the Cowboys in 2025, Schottenheimer responded, “I wouldn’t think so. He’s an exceptional player. We believe he can significantly impact opposing offenses for a long time while wearing a Cowboys jersey.”