Could Micah Parsons play for the Pittsburgh Steelers? Ex-Penn State football star explains why the move interests him

Could Micah Parsons follow in the footsteps of fellow Penn State football icon and NFL superstar Saquon Barkley by returning home to continue his professional career? Not quite yet. But if that day comes, the former Nittany Lions linebacker already knows which of the Keystone State’s two NFL teams he wants to play for. Speaking to reporters following Dallas Cowboys minicamp on Tuesday, Parsons explained why a hypothetical move to join Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers interests him.

Micah Parsons explains hypothetical move to Pittsburgh Steelers

It’s been quite the offseason for Micah Parsons. From sumo wrestling in Japan with former Ohio State and current Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud, to ongoing speculation regarding his looming contract negotiations and potential rifts in the locker room, the last few months have been interesting for the Cowboys star defender.

Parsons returned to the field this week, joining his Dallas teammates at the Cowboys mandatory minicamp. However, the former Penn State football star still found a way to make headlines.

Following practice, Micah Parsons spoke to the media about his current contract situation. The ex-Nittany Lion is entering the fourth year of a five-year rookie deal. But he is currently third on the Cowboys’ priority list, with quarterback Dak Prescott in the final year of his deal and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb in the middle of a contract holdout.

All of this has led to conjecture regarding Parsons’ long-term future in Dallas. Captured by Clarence Hill Jr. of The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Parsons says he has no interest in playing anywhere but Dallas and does not want to impact his legacy by jumping from team to team.

However, the Harrisburg native added that, if he did return to Pennsylvania later in his career, it would be to join the Pittsburgh Steelers and not the Philadelphia Eagles like ex-Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley did this spring. Parsons said this is due, in part, to Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.

Parsons has no interest in playing anywhere but with the Cowboys. He said it’s important for his legacy and doesn’t want to bounce around. But if he hypothetically did go home later in his career it would be to join the Pittsburgh Steelers not the Philadelphia Eagles, partly… https://t.co/JY5cgqryvb

— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) June 4, 2024

Mike Tomlin has been the head coach in Pittsburgh since 2007, leading the Steelers to victory in Super Bowl XLIII. Tomlin holds a 173-100-2 record and has led the Steelers to a record 17 consecutive non-losing seasons.

Ex-Penn State football star eyeing NFL record

While his contract situation has been the topic of much discussion this offseason, Micah Parsons doesn’t seem to be worried. In fact, he thinks patience is a good thing.

With Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson recently signing a four-year, $140 million extension to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history at $35 million annually, more time could mean more money in Parsons’ bank account.

“This market is going to just jump up, and the cap goes up again next year,” Parsons told Hill Jr. Tuesday. “They’re talking about these contracts might, for a high caliber player, might be up to $40 million by then.”

If Micah Parsons can add to his already impressive pro resume with a fourth straight All-Pro season in 2024, then it’s likely a safe bet that we will see the Penn State football icon make NFL history next offseason.

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