By Ethan Hu | NILvana Sports Contributor
Dallas Cowboys superstar Micah Parsons made headlines last week when he requested a trade amid stalled contract negotiations. The All-Pro edge rusher’s camp reportedly hasn’t met with team owner Jerry Jones, who brushed off concerns by telling the media, “We’re in good shape.”
But are they really?
In recent years, the NFL has seen its fair share of contract disputes between franchises and star players. Names like Myles Garrett, Lamar Jackson, Terry McLaurin, and Tee Higgins all flirted with trade demands at some point—but three of the four ultimately secured lucrative deals that reset the market at their respective positions.
Parsons should be next in line.
Since being drafted 12th overall in 2021 out of Penn State, Parsons has exceeded every expectation. He’s a unique defensive weapon, linebacker, edge rusher, and absolute game-wrecker. He’s earned Pro Bowl honors in all four NFL seasons and has been named to the All-Pro First Team twice. There’s no question about his value.
The real question? Why won’t Jerry Jones pay him?
A Familiar Pattern in Dallas
This isn’t the first time a star in Dallas has had to wait on a deal. After prolonged negotiations, Quarterback Dak Prescott finally got paid just before the 2024 season opener. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb held out briefly before signing a four-year, $135 million extension. In both cases, the Cowboys dragged their feet before eventually paying up.
So why the hesitation with Parsons?
From the outside, it looks like ego. Despite Parsons’ résumé and importance to the Cowboys’ success, Jones appears willing to risk losing him—or worse, letting him become a distraction—rather than meet his demands quickly.
And time is running out.
If a resolution isn’t reached soon, trade offers will start pouring in from teams desperate for a player of Parsons’ caliber. For a franchise already under pressure to break through in the playoffs, losing their best defensive player due to stubborn negotiation tactics would be a disaster.
It could even be the moment that turns Cowboys Nation against its longtime owner.
Unless Jerry Jones reconsiders, this contract dispute might become more than a footnote in Cowboys history. It might be the final straw.
Comments
4 responses
Great article
Good read!
If Jerry lets Parsons go, he’ll be remembered as the owner who drove a generational talent out of Dallas.
Micah is the kind of generational talent you build a franchise around