'That's who he's always been' - Micah Parsons' offseason trainer provides insight into Cowboys star's leadership

On Monday's Dallas Cowboys press conference, the team's brass repeatedly mentioned one word when discussing Micah Parsons' contract negotiations with the team: Leadership. 

"Leadership is really big," said owner and general manager Jerry Jones of players negotiating top deals in the NFL.

"We're committed to having (Parsons) take that next step, not just as a player, but as a leader," head coach Schottenheimer said.

It's been a recurrent talking point to the point where fans and media members alike are wondering if the team has questions about it. After all, when negotiating deals for CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott, leadership wasn't on the front office's mind as much.

Based on what we know about Parsons, it shouldn't be a concern. First and foremost, he is at Oxnard, California, which is a statement in itself given his contractual situation.

And after talking to coach Lance Deane—a trainer and developer that works with Micah during the offseason—it's even more clear the star defender is taking on a leadership role on the team.  

Micah Parsons has been a leader for his teammates this very offseason

Multiple times this offseason, Parsons has gathered defensive line teammates to work away from team facilities ahead of the 2025 NFL season. Some of those workouts have been led by coach Lance Deane, who joined me to talk about all things Micah Parsons over at the A to Z Sports Dallas' YouTube channel. 

"I see Micah, man—that's who he's always been," said Deane when asked about Parsons leading his teammates. "I just feel like he never got the credit for that. Obviously, being in Dallas and being in our market, and just being in the politics of the sports world—when things are reversed, they love to blow up the bad things. But not enough is talked about him as a leader."