The former teammates’ spat following Lawrence’s signing in Seattle culminated in the elder pass rusher suggesting that if Parsons spent less time tweeting and more time focusing on winning, he wouldn’t have left.

In a recent interview with Clarence Hill of All City DLLS, Parsons took offense to the idea that his off-field pursuits had anything to do with the Cowboys’ lack of on-field success.

“I think it’s ridiculous,” Parsons said. “You watch the tape. There’s no question I’m locked in. I’m giving my actual best effort out there on the field, which I think that’s all that matters. I have an obligation to be the leader of my family, to take care of my family, and that’s to provide for them. I keep the main thing, the main thing. But I like off-field adventures, too.

“Everyone has their selection of how they want to deal with things. Some people drink. Some people smoke. I like to tweet. I like to be active and know about ball. I like to know what everyone else is doing. And that’s just me. I don’t drink. I don’t smoke. What I care about is the effort you give me on the football field, and that’s something you can’t question. I know I’m one of the best players and as long as I’m performing that way, it shouldn’t matter. When you jump offside on the goal line, is that because I’m tweeting? I think it’s ridiculous, outrageous.”

The four-time Pro Bowler is correct that off-field hobbies rarely, if ever, affect actual on-field play. There have been plenty of players who have had a voice outside the lines and found sustained success. To each his own. However, those recreations provide excuses for those looking for reasons a team might not be successful — even if they’re a red herring.

Few can question Parsons’ ability or drive. His 2024 might not have gotten off to the best foot under former defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, but down the stretch of the season, after returning from injury, he was arguably the best defensive player in football. All the “tweeting” didn’t stop him from gobbling up 11 sacks in the final nine games.

Lawrence’s departure makes it clear now that Parsons is the leader in Dallas.

“I thought it was my time last year, trying to bring that team back in life, even though most people thought we were dead in the water,” Parsons told Hill. “I think it’s my time now. I don’t got to bump heads with no other dude. I wish them guys the best. But it’s kind of hard when you butt heads with another person. They think different; they feel different; and they want to be in the room different. Now it’s my time to really take over.”

Parsons’ big contract will speak the loudest this offseason. The pass rusher is scheduled to play on the fifth-year option, worth $24.07 million. With the cost of non-quarterbacks continuing to rise into the $40 million-per-year realm, Parsons is in for a hefty payday in the coming months. The longer it goes, the more expensive it could be for Dallas.