The world rarely works as we want it to. For Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons, despite his celebrity status, it isn’t too different either. While the 25-year-old NFL star has expressed his desire of wanting to stay with his current squad for the next six years, rumors of his transfer to a new camp are rife. But right now, it seems like taking a break from all the drama is the only way to keep calm, and Parson’s old campus came up with just the right opportunity.

Penn State and Iowa clashed against each other for a Big Ten wrestling showdown at the Bryce Jordan Center on Friday. But while the action on the mat kept the fans enthralled, Parson’s presence in the stands was just as cheered for by the Penn State clan. The NFL athlete’s return to his alma mater was marked by a post by the official Big Ten Wrestling account via an X post from January 31.

“The former @PennStateFball star and current @dallascowboys linebacker Micah Parsons was in attendance for the last Penn State Iowa dual at BJC,” read the social media update, as Micah could be seen posing with his young fans and signing autographs for jubilant followers at the NLWC’s home arena. Thankfully, the high-stakes matchup between the NCAA heavyweights was an electrifying affair, which was more than enough to help Parsons take a temporary break from reality.

In recent years, under the able guidance of Cael Sanderson, the NLWC has established itself as one of the most prolific programs in the country. However, Iowa still boasts 12 more national titles than Penn State, making each of their clashes an exciting exhibition of skills on the mat. Before tonight’s wrestling clash, Iowa Hawkeyes’ Gabe Arnold promised to make amends for last season. But that wasn’t how things panned out.

Both teams roared into University Park with perfect records, but #1 Penn State walked away with a triumphant 30-8 victory over its #2 opponents. Among the NLWC stars, sophomore Tyler Kasak‘s dominant win over Jacori Teemer in the 157lb bracket made the fans gasp, and they couldn’t stop lauding him for his sensational exhibition of power. And yet, despite all the excitement and the relentless action, one would go on to speculate whether Micah’s head was present entirely at the BYC, or if thoughts about his career future remained a lingering thought in the back of the NFL star’s mind.

Micah Parsons is still looking for a permanent home

Since the Cowboys drafted a rookie Micah for a four-year deal in 2021, he has been impressive. As recognition of his defensive prowess, Parsons was awarded the Defensive Rookie of The Year title, and he has won a Pro Bowl for every season he has played with the Cowboys till now. Naturally, fans wanted to see if Micah would continue his career with the team after his $17 million contract tenure ended. But so far, nothing concrete has come up to satiate the fans’ cravings for details.

Stephen Jones, Cowboys’ Executive Vice President, told NFL.com, “We love Micah. I can’t imagine there’s a scenario where he’s not wearing a star on his helmet.” However, a follow-up to the words has remained elusive, and it seems like Parsons is also slowly coming to terms with how the world often functions without much thought about our wants and wishes. “I understand how that business side goes. There are no hard feelings in this business, whether I’m here or anywhere else,” he was quoted saying in a CBS Sports article from last December. But without a contract extension surfacing, the chances of Parsons being traded are high.

NFL Network’s Ian Rappaport also hinted that the Cowboys might be uninterested in keeping Parsons for another five or six seasons. Moreover, with the steep rise in Micah’s market value, many NFL pundits believe that it would be a wise move for Dallas to cash in on the opportunity. But how will things ultimately unfold? Will Micah be seen on the field with a star on his helmet next season? Or is it just wishful thinking? Share your thoughts below!