Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer seems relatively unconcerned about Mika Parsons playing in Week 1.
Amid a contract dispute between Parsons, the team’s standout pass rusher, and the Cowboys, Schottenheimer expressed confidence that Parsons will be on the field when Dallas faces their division rivals on September 4th. “It feels good to have Mika there against the Philadelphia Eagles,” he remarked to reporters.
This reassurance comes after ESPN’s Adam Schefter suggested that the relationship between Parsons and the Cowboys might be deteriorating, hinting at a potential split following a rough offseason.
“If you’re not communicating, you can’t reach an agreement. It doesn’t seem like either side has talked since late March or early April. At this stage, it feels personal,” Schefter noted on her podcast.
Parsons, a four-time Pro Bowler, is looking for a new contract as he enters the final year of his rookie deal. When Cowboys Training Camp kicked off earlier this summer, owner Jerry Jones seemed to underscore the tensions by mentioning Parsons missed games last season.
In response, Parsons took to social media to express his frustrations, revealing that, after a conversation with Jones in March, he felt disillusioned with the lack of contact from the team regarding his contract.
“Unfortunately, I don’t want to be here anymore,” Parsons posted. “Even without an agent, I don’t want to be stuck in lengthy negotiations. Don’t judge my worth based on injuries that impact both my teammates and the organization. I’ve decided against playing for the Dallas Cowboys.”
Contrasting Schottenheimer’s optimism, Jones appeared less assured about Parsons’ availability for the season opener. “No, it’s definitely not,” he said when questioned about Parsons playing in Week 1. “Most of that depends on his decision. How can you be sure? I’m just saying, no, but I’m anxious about it.”
