As Micah Parsons joins the Packers, some behind-the-scenes stories from his time with the Cowboys have started emerging.
Reportedly, Parsons exhibited some “strange behavior” during his last days in Dallas, which is now being talked about widely due to his recent trade. A long piece from ESPN discusses this significant move that was announced on Tuesday.
This unusual behavior became particularly noticeable during his training camp hold-ins.
According to ESPN, he continued attending walkthroughs and meetings but was seen acting oddly—like not wearing a practice jersey or draping it around his neck on certain days, and even showing up to practice without shoes. There was a notable incident before a preseason game against the Falcons when he walked into the locker room munching on nachos and later appeared to be lying down on the medical table, seemingly trying to catch some rest. That moment has since gone viral.
The Cowboys typically accommodate talented players and were keen on developing Parsons, yet there seems to be a shift in mood now that he’s no longer part of the team.
While the incidents mentioned might seem troubling, they somewhat mirror Parsons’s overall experience during his four years in Dallas.
ESPN noted that this really sums up what the Parsons experience was like, highlighting that while he improved his communication with coaches and teammates, he wasn’t exactly the most dedicated in the weight room and training sessions. Some thought he was a hard worker, but others saw potential issues in his decision-making.
These choices could tie back to his podcast, “Edge with Micah Parsons.” A report also surfaced over the weekend suggesting that his podcast caused some friction, particularly involving quarterback Dak Prescott.
Many viewed Parsons as “selfish” based on some of his remarks and decisions, a sentiment echoed in the latest ESPN report, albeit with gentler wording.
One controversial moment involved him ranking teammates on his podcast, something that didn’t sit well with the front office or team coaches, but his teammates were less than pleased, notably safety Malik Hooker who spoke out about it. It was suggested that Parsons needed to reconsider his criticisms of teammates who might not share his skill level, and be more inclusive.
If Green Bay flourishes and Dallas struggles, the specifics of how Parsons behaved behind the scenes might be overlooked. Trades like these are often seen through the lens of success or failure.
Currently, Green Bay is considered one of the favorites for a Super Bowl win, while the Cowboys face their lowest win expectations in over two decades.
The Cowboys are set to kick off their season on Thursday against the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Eagles, while the Packers will host the Lions on Sunday afternoon.
