The Dallas Cowboys have officially begun voluntary offseason team activities (OTAs) as the team prepares for the 2025 regular season.
Dallas began OTAs on Monday with the vast majority of players choosing to be in attendance, including multiple players who are joining the organization for the first time in this upcoming season.
Notably, Cowboys defensive edge Micah Parsons has chosen to attend these workouts despite being in the midst of a contract dispute with the organization.
Cowboys Head Coach Brian Schottenheimer said Parsons has “been in and out” of workouts and that he has participated a “little bit the last couple of days,” noting that he appreciates Parsons’ commitment during a period that he is not required to attend.
“We’re trying to create one of the greatest cultures in professional sports. Micah is going to be a leader for us. He wants to be a leader for us. He’s going to do that. I felt like it was very important for him to be here to begin that process. Again, it’s a voluntary camp but the fact that he did that, means a lot to me,” said the first-year head coach, per NBC Sports.
Parsons is currently debating a new contract with the Cowboys and is expected to become the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history. The All-Pro edge is projected to receive roughly $40 million per year.
Another notable attendee through the first portion of these workouts is new wide receiver George Pickens, who was recently traded to Dallas in exchange for draft compensation and is expected to be a major piece of this team next season.
Pickens said he had heard concerns about how well he would mesh with the team, explaining that he is actually a “chill guy” and wants to do everything possible to fit in.
“There’s a big phase of a tornado that’s not even true. I’m a chill guy and I just love to work,” he said, per Cowboys.com.
“Just staying humble. That’s kind of what I always did. So even when the story was what the story was, I always just kept working, staying humble.”
Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb spoke about Pickens’ arrival and said they can play off each other well due to their varied skills.
“We compliment each other very well,” he said, per Cowboys.com.
“He’s a tall figure, his ability to go up and get the ball at the highest point is amazing… He’s up there with the [best] guys in the league as far as 50/50 balls, deep threat, anything as far as running routes, it’s pretty good. It’s good to see.”
Now, the team will rely on Schottenheimer to help them over the hump. The Cowboys have failed to reach the NFC Championship game for a conference, leading 29 straight seasons.