FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys’ offseason activities have been overshadowed by the absence of three-time All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons, who has missed multiple organized team activities (OTAs) amid ongoing contract negotiations. Parsons attended the first OTA practice on May 19 and met with new head coach Brian Schottenheimer, but has not been on the field for subsequent sessions, raising questions about his availability and leadership as the team prepares for the 2025 season under a new defensive scheme.
While Parsons has traditionally skipped the voluntary portions of Cowboys offseason programs, his current absence has drawn extra scrutiny given his expected increased leadership role following the departure of longtime defensive star DeMarcus Lawrence. Parsons led the NFL in sacks and quarterback pressures during the back half of the 2024 season and would be a significant presence on the field as the Cowboys transition to defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus’ system.
Micah Parsons’ Presence Missed Amid Voluntary OTAs
Parsons was present for the opening OTA practice and had a private lunch with head coach Brian Schottenheimer, but he missed the first OTA session open to the media on May 20 and the following practice later that week. Schottenheimer emphasized the voluntary nature of the offseason program while discussing Parsons’ attendance.
Voluntary, right now, the camp. He was here last week, had lunch with him. Actually bumped into him in the airport. He was going to do some traveling,
Schottenheimer said Tuesday.
I have not seen him yet this week. Again, my big thing with all the guys whether they’re here or not, you can get great work in and you can get ready and be mentally prepared. Whether you’re Micah who is not here, here in and out. Whether you’re Dak, [who is always present], it doesn’t really matter. Just put your work in, get ready, there’s a lot of ways to get ready and prepared. I think the league has made it very clear it’s all voluntary.
—Brian Schottenheimer, Head Coach
The Cowboys have signed veteran defenders such as edge rusher Dante Fowler and defensive tackle Solomon Thomas to ease the leadership void left by Lawrence’s exit to the Seattle Seahawks. Both Fowler and Thomas bring experience and leadership that help stabilize the defense during Parsons’ absence. However, Eberflus would prefer to have Parsons on the field soon to lead the defense as they adjust to a new system for the third consecutive season.
Parsons led all NFL defenders in sacks (11.0) and quarterback pressures (49) during the final two months of the 2024 season, demonstrating his elite pass-rushing skills, and his immediate contribution would be critical as the Cowboys aim to improve their defensive impact in 2025.
It’s [the leadership responsibility] definitely elevated having a guy like D-Law doing it for a long time and having him gone, it definitely puts a little bit more on me and Micah’s plate, just as far as leadership and leading by example,
Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa said Thursday.
But we have good vets in there too. Solly [defensive tackle Solomon Thomas] came in, [edge rusher] Dante [Fowler] has been here before, and they have both been doing it for a long time as well. So, we got good leadership in there.
—Osa Odighizuwa, Defensive Tackle
Team owner and general manager Jerry Jones was present during the latter part of Thursday’s practice and interacted with key players such as wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who similarly held out during his contract negotiations last offseason until reaching an agreement. This has intensified expectations for Jones to expedite Parsons’ contract resolution before training camp begins in July.
Potential Changes to Dak Prescott’s Pre-Snap Cadence
The Cowboys also face uncertainty on the offensive side, as new head coach Brian Schottenheimer may adjust quarterback Dak Prescott’s well-known pre-snap cadence. Prescott’s signature phrases like “Yeah, here we go” or simply “here we go” have become instantly recognizable to NFL viewers and are a staple during Cowboys games.
Schottenheimer, promoted to a play-calling head coach role this offseason, indicated the offense’s fundamental strategy would remain similar but left open the possibility of modifications, including changes to Prescott’s cadence, to better integrate new offensive players and backups.
I’m not going to tell you about the cadence,
Schottenheimer said.
The biggest thing with the cadence that I will tell you is getting a guy like [backup QB] Joe [Milton] and you got new linemen, got [ first-round pick Tyler] Booker and [free agent] Rob Jones and guys like that, getting all the quarterbacks to kind of sound the same. That sounds like ‘Oh that’s pretty obviously, that’s pretty simple.’ But it’s the guys that are the backups that have to learn to make their cadence sound like Dak’s. That’s kind of one of the things that you do work on in terms of the cadence and what we say and things like that. Maybe you guys will hear it today, maybe you won’t.
—Brian Schottenheimer, Head Coach
Practice sessions featuring offense versus defense occur in areas not easily accessible to media, limiting external observation of changes. Despite his tenure, Prescott remains in a growth mindset according to Schottenheimer and continues refining aspects of his game along with newer quarterbacks like Joe Milton.
I think they all are,
Schottenheimer said when asked if Milton is still developing.
I think Dak is in the developmental phase. That sounds crazy for a guy who has played that much. There are things that we are tweaking with Dak. I don’t think it’s just for Joe. … The minute these quarterbacks think they’ve figured it all out, that’s when it’s probably time for them to do something different. The way defenses attack in this league it makes it almost impossible to relax.
—Brian Schottenheimer, Head Coach
DeMarvion Overshown’s Ongoing Rehabilitation Progress
Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, who became the Cowboys’ first player to wear jersey No. 0 this April, shared an optimistic update on his recovery from a devastating knee injury sustained in Week 14 of last season. Having torn his ACL, PCL, and MCL, Overshown is gradually returning to physical activity under the guidance of Cowboys director of rehabilitation Britt Brown.
I’m living my dream with the Dallas Cowboys,
Overshown said.
It’s something I’ve been wanting since I got here, so it’s like getting it, it’s like a style. … The way I went about it, earning it, I think I gained a lot of respect around the building, not going around pouting that I didn’t have my favorite number. The fact that I get to wear it, it’s a badge of honor. I’m looking forward to shining in it.
—DeMarvion Overshown, Linebacker
He has progressed to light jogging on grass and hydrotherapy treadmill sessions, alongside early-stage shuffle and backpedal movements, demonstrating steady healing. Overshown stressed the importance of patience and completing his rehabilitation fully without rushing back prematurely.
It’s been going really good. I think it really couldn’t be any better,
Overshown explained.
If it was any better, I’d be out there playing right now. So where I’m at in my rehab and my process, it’s like where I’m supposed to be plus some. I know it’s a process. It’s something we’re not rushing just because I look good. … I’m going to come back when I’m 100%, when I’m ready. When I know I can touch the field and not have to look down and worry about my knee.
—DeMarvion Overshown, Linebacker
He envisions a realistic return during Week 13 on Thanksgiving Day against the Kansas City Chiefs. Overshown plans to smartly approach his comeback, possibly starting on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list if needed, while continuing to train as if preparing for immediate gameplay.
It’s definitely realistic,
Overshown added.
I’m thinking of doing it the smart way, so maybe starting on PUP [physically unable to perform] maybe if I’m not feeling great. … I’m going to let Britt [Brown], the magic man, do the work. I’m just going to come up here, grind like I’m playing tomorrow. Best believe I’m working as if I’m suiting up tomorrow. … Whenever they unleash me, I’m going to be ready to go.
—DeMarvion Overshown, Linebacker
Initial Starters Emerging at Inside Linebacker Position
The Cowboys’ offseason program indicates the early formation of two starting inside linebackers for Matt Eberflus’s defense. Jack Sanborn, who previously played under Eberflus with the Chicago Bears, and Kenneth Murray, a 2020 first-round selection recently acquired from the Tennessee Titans, both have taken regular reps with the first-team defense during practices.
The emergence of Sanborn and Murray in starting roles reflects the team’s ongoing efforts to solidify their linebacker corps as they adapt to a new defensive coordinator and scheme. Both players’ familiarity with Eberflus’s system is expected to facilitate a smoother transition for the defense in 2025.