Micah Parson misses CeeDee Lamb. He wishes his friend was at Dallas Cowboys training camp, wishes they were preparing together for a pivotal season.
But unlike many fans of the team, Parsons also sees a bright side to the All-Pro wide receiver remaining absent while he negotiates what he hopes will be a lucrative new contract.
“Honestly, for the defense, it’s great not having CeeDee here,” said Parsons, the Cowboys’ star pass rusher. “When he’s here, he’s way more destructive to the defense.”
And Parsons didn’t mind showing a smile and making that joke because, he said, he’s not particularly stressed about how the contract negotiations will end.
Lamb led the NFL with 135 catches last season and has reason to ask for a contract that mirrors those of the league’s highest-paid wide receivers; the Cowboys have yet to offer a deal he finds satisfactory.
In Parson’s view, it’s just a matter of time until they do.
“CeeDee’s a part of this brotherhood whether he likes it or not,” Parsons said. “He knows he’s not going nowhere. The business side, they are going to take care of it.”
The Cowboys open the regular season in 26 days with a game at the Cleveland Browns, who rolled out one of the league’s best defenses last season. With meaningful football looming, fans took exception last week to owner and general manager Jerry Jones saying he didn’t feel urgency to reach an agreement with Lamb.
Parsons took to social media to show support for his teammate.
That doesn’t mean he’s worried, though.
“I’m pretty sure he’ll be here soon,” Parson said. “No doubt about it. Week 1, he will be suiting up for the Dallas Cowboys.”