Micah discusses Cowboys contract talks and Zimmer’s signing.

 The disappointing and humiliating end to the 2023 season has the Dallas Cowboys scrambling for solutions that will hopefully transform them from a perennially elite 12-win regular season team that implodes in the playoffs to a postseason contender, and keeping Micah Parsons will undoubtedly help that cause.

The club can commence discussions with the three-time All-Pro linebacker for the first time when the new league year begins on March 13, and the deadline to exercise the former first-round pick’s fifth-year option is May 2.

Parsons is currently okay conducting the conversations in whatever way the Cowboys feel suitable.

“I won’t find something out until the month, to see if they have any interest in doing it,” he told the NFL Network.

CeeDee Lamb is also up for contract talks, and given that Lamb’s season in 2024 will be his fifth-year option, the Cowboys need to finalize a deal with the megastar wideout as soon as possible — especially given the nearly $18 million cap hit the option entails.

Parsons understands the prioritization and is ready to postpone for the time being, while stating unequivocally that he intends to stay in Dallas for the rest of his career.

“I know they’ve got to get CeeDee Lamb done,” he added of the two-time All-Pro. “I believe that is the priority right now, but if they are willing to speak about a deal and get it done, I would be really delighted. I’m prepared to be a Cowboy for life. This was the team I wanted to be on [pre-draft]. This is the team I want to win a title with, and what’s meant for me will be mine.

“I won’t hasten the procedure. I’m just going to enjoy the process and work till it’s time.”

**The expectation is that by bringing in Mike Zimmer** on a reunion tour following Dan Quinn’s departure, Parsons and the rest of the defense can achieve new heights during the postseason.

It’s a unit that has been one of the finest in the Quinn era at pressing opposing quarterbacks and taking the ball away, but both were missing in action during the wild card loss to Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers.

For his part, Parsons, who has developed a personal relationship with Quinn over the last three seasons, is both saddened by his departure – to the Commanders, no less — and excited about what Zimmer will bring to the table in Dallas.

“Just going off of the track record and what I’m seeing, he’s done really well [in his career],” Parson said. “From what I hear, he’s an excellent coach. I’m looking forward to seeing him and learning more about his plans for my future. … “I believe he’s had a top defender in each period with the Cowboys, so it’ll be really exciting.”

The fix will truly begin with all of Zimmer’s players quickly adapting to a new coaching style, scheme, and level of requirements from a proven coordinator who has won a Super Bowl ring (with Dallas) as well as was head coach of an NFC Championship-winning team just recently as 2017.

“I think it takes a collective group and everyone being bought-in,” Parsons went on to say. “I believe that everyone, from the top management to the coaches to the players to the practice squad, regardless of position, must be committed. Everyone must buy in, and it begins with OTAs: how many people will we get in there to learn this new system.

“How can we get the ball rolling, learn how to collaborate, and improve communication? Not shying away from anything.”

That’s wonderful to know, but neither is Zimmer, and the best way to ensure Parsons becomes the highest-paid NFL player ever, and in a Cowboys uniform, is for him to have a career-defining fourth season.