Brian Schottenheimer addresses Micah Parsons' viral sideline behavior during preseason game: 'We'll handle it internally'

Dallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said the team will handle the behavior from linebacker Micah Parsons during Friday’s preseason game “internally.” Parsons, who requested a trade in the midst of contract negotiations with the team, was seen laying on a trainer’s table during the third quarter against the Falcons.

The linebacker didn’t look to be paying attention to the game, as close ups showed him with his eyes closed. Schottenheimer said he had not had an opportunity to speak with Parsons yet.

For his part, Parsons did address the situation on social media postgame. He quoted a tweet from Cowboys reporter Mike Leslie, who said the linebacker was only on the trainer’s table for “a relatively short portion of the game.”

I actually appreciate this,” Parsons wrote. “The way media shapes perception and narratives is wild—and if he hadn’t said anything, everyone would’ve just run with it. I’d never disrespect the guys out there fighting for their lives.”

Parsons, 26, is entering the final year of his rookie deal. The two-time All-Pro pass rusher revealed that he initially approached the Cowboys about a contract extension after the 2023 season but the team “did not want to start any negotiations at that point.”

The edge rusher has been a key part of the Cowboys defense over the past four seasons after winning Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2021. This past season he recorded 43 total tackles, 12 sacks, two forced fumbles and one pass defended across 13 games.

Dallas won Friday’s game against the Falcons by a score of 31-13. That ends the regular season and now puts the pressure on the team to come to an agreement with Parsons before the regular season begins.

Micah Parsons update: NFL insider updates chances of trade, Cowboys star playing in Week 1

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler updated the chances of a trade or Micah Parsons actually playing for the Dallas Cowboys Week 1. It seems like it’s the latter at this point.

Throughout the negotiations, non-negotiations, Jerry Jones speeches and demands from Parsons, he could actually play in a couple of weeks. It’s been weeks since Parsons requested his way out of Dallas and neither side has budged.

“They’re trying to stay optimistic, despite all the posturing all the game playing with Jerry Jones and the Cowboys,” Fowler said on SportsCenter. “Dallas still feels like Micah Parsons is getting himself ready to play Week 1, and that there’s still a chance that they can find a long term deal extension somewhere, despite the lack of real substantial contract talks. 

“They believe that closer to 10 to 12 days in, they can figure something out. One source equated it to Nick Bosa a couple years ago with San Francisco. He signed like four days before Week 1 kickoff. They got a deal done. Sometimes these things are ugly. They take turns. Now meanwhile, Dallas has gotten multiple inquiries from teams of potential Micah Parsons trade. There is definitely interest. They’re not really entertaining it though. They want Micah Parsons in uniform. Does he want to be in uniform as well?”

On3’s Nick Kosko contributed to this report.