The Dallas Cowboys are no strangers to posting fantastic regular season results. They have accumulated 36 wins over the past three seasons while winning the NFC East twice during that span. However, the postseason has been a completely different story for the legendary NFL franchise, failing to make the NFC Championship in any of those three seasons. In fact, they have gone just 1-3 in the playoffs since 2021, including two losses on their home turf. In an attempt to exercise their postseason demons, the Cowboys made a change at defensive coordinator, yet one of their superstars will likely be behind in learning the system.
According to Cowboys writer Clarence Hill Jr., All-Pro edge-rusher Micah Parsons was notably absent from OTAs on Thursday, much to the displeasure of head coach Mike McCarthy. Parsons appeared at the Cowboys facility on Wednesday for a light workout and a media appearance. However, after claiming he would attend the beginning of OTAs this week, the Penn State product was not in the building on Thursday.
Dallas Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy: Responds to Absence of Micah Parsons at OTAs
After telling Jane Slater of the NFL Network that he would be at the start of organized team activities this week, superstar linebacker Micah Parsons was a no-show on Thursday. Parsons is currently eyeing a new contract, with his four-year deal ending after the 2025 season. However, head coach Mike McCarthy seemed disappointed in the absence of his star defender.
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy was asked if Micah Parsons has missed an opportunity to elevate teammates by missing parts of spring past two years. "I think anytime you have a chance to be together, it's an opportunity to improve, whether it's in the mental realm, the physical… pic.twitter.com/erv6VeNlBR
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) May 30, 2024
“Training camp is really the heightened focus for all of that. But yeah, it’s definitely an opportunity that’s been missed,” said McCarthy, according to Michael Gehiken of the Dallas Morning News. McCarthy also gave off a frustrated vibe with the continuous questions surrounding Parsons, saying, “I’m not gonna come up here and talk about one player when 98 percent are here.”
Regardless, the bench boss still feels that OTAs are an excellent time for the team to come together and develop. “I think anytime you have a chance to be together, it’s an opportunity to improve, whether it’s in the mental realm, the physical realm, which is limited obviously at this time of year, and the emotional connection and so forth. But, you know, it’s a long year,” said McCarthy.
Micah Parsons: Eyeing Fourth Consecutive All-Pro Season
Micah Parsons, the 12th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, has had a stellar NFL career entering his age-25 season. Parsons shined as a rookie, winning AP DROY and earning first-team All-Pro honors after an 84-tackle, 13-sack season. He earned MVP votes in 2022, registering 65 tackles, 13 TFLs, and 13.5 sacks. However, he set a career-high in sacks last year with 14.
Much like his Dallas Cowboys teammates, Parsons’ regular-season production has yet to carry over to the postseason. He has just one sack across four playoff games, with only three TFLs during that span. He had two tackles in last year’s Super Wild Card Weekend loss to the Green Bay Packers.
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