'He'll just let it rip' - Cowboys DL coach sends a message on Micah Parsons that serves as a telling update amid contract saga

As the NFL world speculates on potential trade scenarios involving Micah Parsons and whether or not Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is about to lose one of the most talented players the franchise has ever seen, the experience in the locker room has been very different.

That's at least going by what Cowboys defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton had to say to the media on Wednesday. The new coach arriving under defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus was asked if Parsons' situation was a distraction for the team.

"Not at all, he's been awesome," Whitecotton told reporters. "He's been great. He puts his two cents in when he sees something or gives some great indicators on, 'Hey, expect this. Hey, look at the tackle on this.' He's giving great indicators to the guys across the board."

Cowboys DL coach Aaron Whitecotton breaks down Micah Parsons' approach to training camp: 'He knows everything backwards and forwards'

I don't know about you but Whitecotton's description of Parsons' approach doesn't exactly sound like someone who truly "no longer wants to play for the Dallas Cowboys," which is what the star defender stated in a viral message announcing his trade request on social media last week. In that way, the message sent by the Cowboys defensive line coach feels like one of the most important updates we've received on Parsons' situation yet. While owner Jerry Jones claims he's "absolutely not" confident about his star pass rusher playing without an extension in place, Whitecotton paints a different reality: One that suggests Parsons is engaged as a leader of the team.

Especially because the coach added Parsons is working as a mentor with younger players on the defensive line squad.

"The other thing I would say that's probably never going to be shown is he's taken some guys under his wing and had some one-on-ones with them whether it was in the weight room, getting their body to go out to practice, or whether it was in the meeting room," Whitecotton said. "He's done a really good job with picking his spots to get one on one with guys and really put his arm around them and just help them and show them the way and give them information. The guys have been really appreciative of that."

Additionally, Whitecotton said he's confident Parsons is ready to go and knows the ins and outs of Eberflus' defense, the third scheme the star defender will tackle since arriving at the NFL in 2021.

I have no reservations about him being ready to play in football games," Whitecotton stated. "He's working his butt off with all the physical and strength training and the running he's doing. He's doing a great job with all of that. [. . .] He knows the playbook. He knows our calls. He knows everything backwards and forwards. So when that moment arises, I know he'll just let it rip."

At the end of the day, I bet Parsons' camp is trying its best to make it seem like they're serious about the player's trade request. But is a player who truly wants to head elsewhere putting in such a high effort for his teammates and for his team? My gut tells me not. It's messy and the Cowboys need to fix things. But if the necessary push to make a deal happens, my guess is Parsons puts ink to paper with a wide smile on his face.