OXNARD, Calif. — It's no secret that CeeDee Lamb is exercising his right to hold out of the start of Dallas Cowboys' training camp, and Dak Prescott has now provided his view of where things stand in his ongoing contract talks with the club, but there's also the matter of Micah Parsons – the final piece of that triumvirate who is also set for contract talks.
The three-time All-Pro pass rusher has been on a tear since getting the nod as the team's first-round pick in 2021 (12th-overall), putting up historic numbers in his first 50 games, all three of those seasons being under then defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.
With the addition (or rather the readdition) of Mike Zimmer as defensive coordinator for 2024, it's undetermined how Zimmer will deploy Parsons going forward, but the picture is slowing starting to come into focus.
Parsons took to the podium following Day 2 of practice to discuss that topic as well as many others — from his contract status to his future outlook in Dallas and plenty in-between.
On Dan Quinn departure to Washington Commanders:
"I think it's still going to be a very good year without Dan. I was blessed to have Dan for three years. He still checks in on me. I still feel like he's my big Uncle, someone I love dearly. But at the end of the day, I have a job to do and it's to kick his ass twice a year. We can hug afterwards.
On Mike Zimmer addition:
"So far, all of our conversations have been very great, very open and very transparent. What positions he wants me to be in. I think his coaching has been fabulous, his scheme has been amazing. And I'm actually very excited to be in his scheme. This was definitely a blessing that we got Zimmer and he decided to come back."
On the playoff loss to to the Green Bay Packers:
"It should motivate you. It's bad to just throw games away and I think it's a little bit delusional. It's more that you should be happy that game happened. You should know what failure feels like and embrace that failure. That's what makes you stronger.
"Think about anything that's ever hurt you in life. This is what it is, I accept it and how do I never make this happen again? That's what champions do and what winners do. I embrace the loss. I whole-heartedly open and admit to that loss. I used that to my training and when we [were] down in deep waters and no one was looking around, you have to train yourself and remember what's your why, and why are you doing this.
"When you're training hard and you're tired, you think about that loss and think about those times when you were tired and wish you could've given more. That's what those losses and those failures do for you, and you have to embrace them into your training and into your season.
"I will have [Matt] LaFleur's picture in my locker if I could. I can't wait to see LaFleur again. That's the type of motivation you should have when you take a loss like that. I take every loss personal."
On current state of contract talks:
"To be honest with you, I always tell you guys, the contract stuff will always take care of itself. Winning games is what I need to take care of. I'm focused on winning games and making plays, getting sacks and Jerry can meet up with the agent later. They can handle all the other stuff. I'm on my first deal and I know I have two years left here so I'm going to try to maximize those as much as possible."
On if he wants to spend his entire career in Dallas:
"I think when you talk about career legacy, I don't think there's a better career you can have when you're playing for the Star and have a chance to be the best with the star, and retire as a Cowboy. You look at Witten, you look at Michael Irvin, you look at Emmitt, you see they're still in the community and still active.
"The star holds so much weight and the legacy it brings. It's nothing like wearing the star, when you do it the right way. In terms of being here, I want to be here my whole life. I plan on building a house here and being in Dallas forever.
"I love this city, I love the community. I love what it stands for."
