Penn State in the NFL: Micah Parsons' interesting offseason, no team for Donovan Smith yet, more

Penn State alums will start training camp in NFL cities this month. It’s a safe bet that all of them improved and got some downtime between the time their 2023 season ended and now. Few, however, have maximized their time away from pads like Micah Parsons has. The Harrisburg native, who enters his fourth season in 2024, did a little bit of everything. He podcasted at the Super Bowl. Then, he was the MVP of the NBA’s celebrity All-Star game. From there, he hosted an NFL Draft podcast and then traveled with Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud to China and Japan. Highlights of those trips included a trip to the Great Wall of China, a youth football camp, and, infamously, sumo wrestling.

“We’ve been in touch,” Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said when asked about Parsons’ globe-trotting offseason. “We talked about the technique and about the experience of being over there but, hey, think about it. That’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity so, I think any of our guys that have that type of opportunity to broaden their horizons, I’d be the first one to tell them to go.”

It was not all rainbows and roses for Parsons this offseason, however. There was a brief, and seemingly now quashed, spat with a teammate, safety Malik Hooker, who had this to say on Keyshawn Johnson’s “All Facts and No Brakes” podcast:

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“My advice would be for Micah, it would be: Just make sure we’re all right, and being where your feet are,” Hooker said on June 27, according to the New York Post. “Because if we’re out working, and the run game’s terrible but you’re doing a podcast every week — and you know the run game is terrible — then what are you really caring about? Are you caring about the crowd that’s watching your podcast, or are you caring about the success of our team, and the Super Bowl that we’re trying to reach?”

Parsons’ online response was short-lived, as it has since been deleted, but still captured by the Post.

“Just wish you said this to me but instead on some podcast!” Parsons wrote in a since-deleted tweet, as reported by The Dallas Morning News. “And you got my number family! And you my locker mate! So you coulda said this any day! And you do realize I shoot the podcast on our off day! Why ain’t we talking about everyone preparations and focus.”

Dallas reports to training camp in late July. The former rivals at Penn State and Ohio State, respectively, will again team up to lead the Dallas defense. Parsons, a three-time All-Pro who finished in the top three for Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2023, has 213 tackles over 50 NFL games. He also has 40.5 sacks, 89 quarterback hits, and seven forced fumbles. They are all numbers he will look to add to as his touring offseason ends and his full-on prep for his fourth NFL season begins.

Penn State alum Smith still awaiting next NFL home

Two-time Super Bowl champ and Penn State alum Donovan Smith may wait into training camp before finding his third NFL stop. The 31-year-old New York native is still unsigned as teams are either at or soon reporting to training camp. This is unchartered water for Smith, of course. After his eight-season run with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wrapped up in 2023, the left tackle took a while to find a new landing spot. But, he didn’t need until mid-to-late July to sign a one-year deal in with the Kansas City Chiefs. Instead, that was agreed to in May of last year. The defending Super Bowl champs did not offer Smith a new contract following their title, which made him a free agent.

Bleacher Report suggests Cleveland or New England could be a possible landing spot for Smith at this point in time. When he actually signs, however, remains to be seen.

“Left tackles who have won multiple Super Bowls aren’t usually available at a below-market rate. However, Donovan Smith is a bit of an anomaly,” Kristopher Knox writes. “Despite winning championships with both the Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in recent years, the 31-year-old Smith has never been an elite player. Over the past two seasons, Smith was responsible for 21 penalties and allowed eight sacks, according to Pro Football Focus.

“Smith played for Kansas City last season on a modest one-year, $3 million contract. However, he doesn’t carry many injury concerns, has started all 136 regular-season games in which he’s appeared and has loads of postseason experience.”

While it does feel odd that Smith has not found a place to play yet, it still feels likely that he will. Could it take an injury to make that a reality, though? It’s not out of the question.

Barkley continues getting comfortable in Philadelphia

Former Penn State running back Saquon Barkley looks as comfortable as ever in Philadelphia. The former New York Giants’ All-Pro joined the Eagles earlier this offseason. He is constantly seen in videos and social media posts working out with members of his new team, including its star quarterback, Jalen Hurts.

“We’re out there just doing all the little things, throwing, working on routes, building chemistry,” Barkley said, per SI. “That’s stuff needed during this time, building that chemistry, connecting together as a team. Those are little things that really matter and help you along the way during the season.”

Barkley aims to put past injury concerns behind him to have his best season yet. This marks his seventh NFL season. He has not played a full regular season in years. However, he has missed just four games over the last two seasons. His career totals consist of 5,211 rushing yards and 53 touchdowns.

“I’ve never seen a guy weigh 230, 235 pounds being able to split out wide and pretty much be able to outrun anybody on the field and do things at receiver,” Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson told SiriusXM earlier this year. “Obviously when you look at him, ultra-talented, but extremely personable, great teammate, hard worker.

“I know he’s excited about this new change in his career. And, when you look at him, it’s one of those guys that doesn’t come around too often.”

Final Penn State rookie contract total revealed

Penn State saw eight former players go off the board in the 2024 NFL Draft. Ahead of training camp, they have all officially signed their first NFL deals. It totals out to $64.6 million. New New York Jets tackle Olu Fashanu leads the list. He has a draft-class high contract that pays him $20,510,710 over four years. Defensive end Chop Robinson, who is with the Miami Dolphins, checks in at No. 2. His four-year deal is worth nearly $16 million. He recently updated his offseason progress with reporters.

“It’s been good, especially Jalen (Ramsey) and Bradley Chubb teaching me details like my first step and just good moves I can add to my toolbox,” Robinson told the Miami Herald. “The first step in the running game and getting my hands down has definitely improved from where I was in college. “Just trying to stick to your man and your key and focus on the little things so you don’t have to put too much in your head. We’re just learning from each other and getting better.”

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The rest of the Lions’ draft class have deals that are worth between $4-5 million each. That includes Daequan Hardy. The former Penn State cornerback and punt returner is on NFL.com’s preseason All-Rookie team as a specialist.

“Buffalo is replacing Deonte Harty, who signed with Baltimore as a free agent, with Daequan Hardy in the punt-return game,” Chad Reuter writes. “[He] led the FBS with two punt returns for touchdowns in 2023, making the first man miss before turning on the jets. Hardy could also join running back Ty Johnson in taking over for Khalil Shakir on kickoff returns if the Bills want the third-year receiver to focus on offense. Hardy is a competitive nickel corner, as well. But, might need time to work into the role with Taron Johnson manning that spot.”