Micah Parsons publicly pushes Cowboys to change free-agency approach

The Dallas Cowboys have long been criticized for a lack of action when it comes to NFL free agency.

You can add their own star linebacker, Micah Parsons, to the list of those frustrated.

Parsons became the latest to suggest the team should go after more players in free agency this offseason following a disappointing 2024 campaign.

“The talent is there. We’ve just got to be aggressive the same way [other teams] did,” Parsons told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “I don’t want to sit back and watch other [teams] build and build and us stay the same. Definitely some call to action.”

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons holding his helmet, leaving the field after winning a game against Carolina Panthers — Micah Parsons is pushing the Cowboys to be more aggressive in free agency. AP

While Dallas has typically done well in the draft — including selecting Parsons 12th overall in 2021 out of Penn State — they have typically sat out most of free agency.

The tactic was questioned especially this past season, when the Cowboys needed help in the run game and let Derrick Henry sign with the Baltimore Ravens, where he rushed for nearly 2,000 yards and tied for the league-lead with 16 rushing touchdowns.

And in the Cowboys’ own division, they saw ex-Giant running back Saquon Barkley go to the Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent and he went on to have one of the best seasons for a running back in history, as he helped lead the team to a Super Bowl тιтle.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys’ running game finished sixth from the bottom.

Jerry Jones and new head coach Brian ScH๏τtenheimer at a news conference at Dallas Cowboys headquarters — Jerry Jones introducing Brian ScH๏τtenheimer as new Cowboys coach. AP

“I want to see us become aggressive and get some players that will come in and make an impact,’’ Parsons said. “I want to see us bring back our own players. That’s just as important. Let’s see what we can do there.”

Perhaps Parsons will get his wish, as Jerry Jones’ son, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones, said last month the organization was set to “do a real deep dive on putting some personnel together whether it be through the draft [or] free agency. I know, typically, that’s not been the way we’ve done this team, but we’ll certainly look at it … And if we need to change some things there, we will.”

The Cowboys went 7-10 last season and parted ways with head coach Mike McCarthy after the season.

The team promoted offensive coordinator Brian ScH๏τtenheimer to replace McCarthy in another move that left many questioning how serious the franchise is about winning.