Dallas Cowboys defensive end Micah Parsons has once again opened up about ongoing contract discussions and said he plans to focus on what he can control during the negotiation process.
Parsons hosted a free youth football camp in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday and opened up about the negotiations, stating that he will “just work harder” if the Cowboys are concerned about the deal.
“Like, to me, I look at it like if people don’t see your value, you don’t cry and sit down. You just work harder. You got to show people your value. I just think that’s the difference, like I go, okay, bet, and I just work,” he added, per PennLive.
Parsons also shut down the rumors that he is waiting on an extension until other defensive ends around the league sign new deals, explaining that those deals do not directly correlate with his negotiations.
“No, because they numbers got nothing to do with mine, and my numbers ain’t got nothing to do with them,” Parsons said, per PennLive.
“Like, I’m younger than Hendrickson. I mean, Hutchinson’s coming off an injury. Everyone’s circumstances is completely different. Hutch is coming off his third year. Usually guys wait four years. So, it just all depends, Watt. I mean, he’s up there with Myles [Garrett]. So, you know, it’s different. Everyone’s circumstance is different.”
The four-time Pro Bowler further discussed the impact of other defensive ends receiving contract extensions, detailing how his contract will be based on the salary cap more than other players’ deals.
“Not really, because I’m just going to get mine no matter what,” Parsons said when asked whether he will base his contract on other players’ deals, according to PennLive.
“You know what I mean? Like, the markets change every year. Their salary cap went up, like, another 18% this year. So, if you want to know contracts, all the contracts are based off of percentage. Like, each player, a high-paid player, takes a percentage of the salary cap. So, it’s not really the number. It goes off by the salary cap.”
Parsons has remained consistent with his statements throughout this entire process, claiming earlier in the offseason that “It’s going to cost them more” when asked about the Cowboys’ tendency to wait on extensions, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Although some may have concerns about the lack of movement on this deal, it has become common practice for the Cowboys to wait until the last minute to sign the best players.
Notably, Dallas entered last season’s training camp with ongoing contract negotiations with both wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott.
Both players eventually signed new contracts with the Cowboys before the start of the regular season, with America’s Team agreeing to pay each of them among the top at their position.
These previous discussions suggest that the saga between Parsons and the Cowboys is likely to continue into the team’s training camp, which is scheduled to begin on July 20 in Oxnard, California.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, there is reportedly only one major question remaining before a deal can be struck, with the two sides debating the length of the extension. Parsons is reportedly seeking a shorter contract that will allow him to enter free agency sooner in the future, while the Cowboys would prefer a longer contract.
Currently, there is no end in sight for the negotiations between the two sides.