Brian Schottenheimer Touts Cowboys' 'Excellent' Offseason, Perfect Minicamp Attendance

Brian Schottenheimer is happy to head into his first season as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys with no high-profile holdouts from mandatory minicamp.

"I'm excited we got perfect attendance," Schottenheimer said ahead of Tuesday's first day of minicamp, per Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News.

Schottenheimer added that he believes the Cowboys have had an "excellent offseason," per Watkins.

Edge-rusher Micah Parsons was in attendance at Tuesday's mandatory minicamp amid his negotiations for a new contract with the Cowboys.

Schottenheimer told reporters that Parsons would be participating in on-field work on Tuesday.

Parsons, who is currently set to play the 2025 season on a $24 million club option, is seeking an extension before his rookie deal expires.

Cowboys co-owner and COO Stephen Jones told reporters last week that Parsons had been "in and out" of voluntary OTAs amid extension negotiations, according to the team's website.

When asked if Parsons was expected to attend mandatory minicamp, Jones said, "You'd have to ask Micah."

When asked the same question, Schottenheimer gave a more optimistic answer.

"Micah and I talked a couple of days ago. I expect that he will be here," Schottenheimer said last week, per the team's website.

"Micah and I have had great communication, everything I've asked him to do and vice versa he's followed through on," Scottenheimer added.

The Cowboys' head coach once more expressed that optimism ahead of Tuesday's practice. Watkins wrote that Schottenheimer "noted he's had good conversations with Parsons this offseason, which includes today."

After last year's contract talks with CeeDee Lamb turned into a high-profile holdout that impacted the Cowboys' training camp preparation ahead of the 2024 season, it sounds like Schottenheimer is determined to keep Parsons on better terms with the team while negotiations continue this summer.

Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs was also in attendance at Tuesday's minicamp amid rehab from last year's season-ending knee surgery.