Now that Micah Parsons is among the Cheeseheads, the alleged behind-the-scenes antics from his time in Dallas are starting to leak.
Parsons exhibited “strange behavior” in his final few days with the Cowboys that, in some ways, represented his time with the franchise before Thursday’s shocking trade sent him to the Packers, ESPN reported in a lengthy feature on the blockbuster move published Tuesday.
The “strange” behavior reportedly became noticeable during his training camp hold-in.
“He continued to participate in walk-throughs and meetings but also exhibited strange behavior including not wearing his practice jersey, or on another day wearing it around his neck, and coming to practice without shoes,” ESPN reported. “Before the team’s preseason finale against the Falcons, Parsons ate nachos as he walked to the locker room, and most memorably lay on a medical table during the game and appeared to close his eyes. The image went viral.”
Teams will always put up with great players’ actions as long as they produce, and the Cowboys clearly were willing to do so since they wanted to extend Parsons.
However, now that the divorce has been finalized and he will be suiting up for an NFC powerhouse, folks in the building suddenly have loose lips.
While none of the aforementioned incidents may seem egregious, they apparently were in line with the behavior that Parsons exhibited during his four years in Dallas.
“This encapsulates the Parsons experience to sources in the building over his four-year tenure,” ESPN reported. “Multiple sources said he wasn’t the most diligent in the weight room or in getting treatment, though others considered him a hard worker who improved his communication skills with coaches and players but whose decision-making was sometimes in question.”
That decision-making tied into his “The Edge with Micah Parsons” podcast.
A Sports Illustrated report emerged over the weekend that suggested the podcast irked some in the building, including quarterback Dak Prescott.
The report stated that some felt Parsons was “egotistical” and “self-centered.”
ESPN’s latest report backed up those sentiments, although not with the same damning language.
“One example (of questionable decision-making) was Parsons’ outspokenness on his podcast, which rankled some teammates,” ESPN reported. “The front office and coaches didn’t have a major problem with it. But teammate (Cowboys safety) Malik Hooker made his issues known publicly last year. As one team source put it, Parsons was known to be critical, sometimes out of passion for the game, but coaches would urge him to consider that ‘you can’t call guys out who don’t have your ability,’ and learning how to lead and ‘bring others along with you’ is crucial. That part was considered a process for him.”
How Parsons acted behind the scenes won’t matter if Green Bay thrives and Dallas succeeds since these trades are usually viewed in the wins-and-losses vacuum.
Green Bay is now one of the betting favorites to win the Super Bowl, while the Cowboys’ win total is at a 23-year low.
The Cowboys open the season on the road Thursday in Philadelphia versus the Super Bowl champion Eagles, while the Packers host the Lions on Sunday afternoon.