Dak Prescott isn’t hiding his concerns about Micah Parsons’ absence from the Dallas Cowboys’ organized team activities (OTAs). With Prescott facing a pivotal offseason, the quarterback’s job security hangs in the balance as the team continues to negotiate a contract extension. At the same time, edge rusher Micah Parsons is also seeking a new deal as he enters the fourth year of his rookie contract.

Parsons has opted to skip the voluntary OTAs to focus on healing his body before the 2024 season. While these sessions are optional, missing them means lost opportunities to learn and practice with the team. Prescott addressed Parsons’ absence on Wednesday, acknowledging the professional nature of the decision but emphasizing his preference for having the full team together.

“At the end of the day, these guys are professionals. This is optional. I would love for Micah to be here. Trust me, he’s heard me say that. But this is optional. I know he’s getting better, I know he’s working on his body, so I don’t have any angst or concerns there,”Prescott said.

Once Parsons secures his new contract with the franchise, he is set to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league. His deal will surpass Nick Bosa’s $34 million average per season and Justin Jefferson’s recent $35 million average. The Cowboys understand the necessity of locking down one of the league’s most dominant defensive players, with only the contract structure left to finalize.

Parsons prefers to work alone

Returning for this week’s mandatory minicamp, Parsons provided insight into his absence. He emphasized his personal approach to preparation, which includes focusing on individual drills and health management.

“I have always had my own way of doing things,” Parsons explained. He noted that the extended duration of the upcoming training camp would offer ample time for intensive practice with full pads and hitting, unlike OTAs, which focus more on individual drills.

Parsons linked his health strategy to his contract aspirations, highlighting the importance of his physical condition. “This is all I have to offer to the Cowboys. Before you sign a contract, you go through a physical… This is your engine. This is where all of my equity lies. Availability is the best ability,” he said.

The Cowboys are working at full speed on contracts

The Dallas Cowboys superstar, who transitioned from linebacker to a full-time EDGE role before the 2023 season, has consistently been a standout player since his college days at Penn State. As a consensus All-American in 2019, Parsons was a top draft prospect from the start of his NCAA career.

With both Prescott and Parsons at critical junctures in their careers, the Cowboys’ offseason is shaping up to be one of high stakes and significant decisions. The team’s success hinges on the health, performance, and contract resolutions of its key players.