Micah Parsons demands a trade from the Dallas Cowboys amid stalled contract talks
The contract dispute between the Dallas Cowboys and Micah Parsons has come to a head, with the star pass rusher demanding a trade.
In a post to his X account Friday afternoon, Parsons said he has personally submitted his trade request to Cowboys executive vice president and CEO Stephen Jones.
"I no longer want to be held to close door [sic] negotiations without my agent present. I no longer want shots taken at me for getting injured while laying it on the line for the organization our fans and my teammates," Parsons wrote.
The post, which includes three screenshots of a note typed out on an iPhone, includes Parsons' side of the contract dispute.
Parsons wrote that he wanted to sign a contract extension as soon as he was eligible, following the 2023-24 season, but the team did not want to negotiate.
Instead, Parsons said, he did not complain and turned his focus to the next season.
"After the season I told my agent once again to let the team know we were open to negotiate when they met at the combine. My agent informed me I should wait for other deals to get done because the price would only go up but I didn't care and wanted to secure myself as a Cowboy long term," Parsons wrote.
He said his agent was met with "radio silence." In March, Parsons said he had a meeting with owner and general manager Jerry Jones to "talk about leadership," but Jones turned the conversation to his contract.
"Yes I engaged in a back and forth in regards to what I wanted for my contract, but at no point did I believe this was supposed to be a formal negotiation and I informed Mr. Jones afterward my agent would reach out thinking this would get things done," Parsons wrote.
He said when his agent reached out, he was told that a deal was "pretty much already done."
Unless a player is acting as their own agent, negotiations must happen between the team and a player's agent, according to league rules.
Parsons wrote that the team has never reached back out to his agent. "After repeated shots at myself and all the narratives I have made a tough decision I no longer want to play for the Dallas Cowboys.
Jerry Jones remark about Micah Parsons
Parsons' references to "shots" taken at him in the media could refer to comments Jerry Jones made last month.
In a news conference at the start of training camp, Jones answered a question about the lack of progress toward an extension by appearing to cite Parsons' injury history as a reason for the delay.
Micah Parsons contract drama
Parsons' note came hours after an article published by The Athletic, the New York Times sports platform, that Parsons was "considering drastic measures, which could include a trade request or even a declaration that he is severing his relationship with the team."
After that report came out, but before Parsons posted that he demanded a trade, CBS Sports Texas' Bill Jones spoke with DallasCowboys.com writer Mickey Spagnola at training camp in Oxnard, Calif.
"Everybody demands a trade. Big deal," Spagnola said. "The Cowboys have Micah Parsons under contract for one year, $24 million. So they're doing him a favor, and themselves, by signing him to an extension. He would get his money in the bank tomorrow, and the Cowboys would lower his cap hit considerably for this year. But they have his rights."
Spagnola also pointed out that the even if Parsons played out this season without a contract extension, the Cowboys could use the franchise tag on him.
The franchise tag allows teams to keep their current players if they have not agreed on a contract, paying the player the average of the top 5 salaries for his position. If Parsons were to sign a new contract, his salary would undoubtedly be much higher.
However, there are risks for the team if they use the franchise tag. Money owed on the tag is guaranteed, meaning players are owed the full amount even if they get injured. If a player gets tagged in consecutive seasons, the pay increases significantly. And unlike a normal contract, the team is not allowed the flexibility to spread out the player's effect on the salary cap over multiple seasons, which could hinder their ability to sign other players.
Micah Parsons' current contract
Parsons is entering the fifth and final year of his rookie contract and has been one of the best at his position in the NFL since he was drafted in 2020. Parsons has said he is expecting a big payday, and he will most likely get it, whether with the Cowboys or another team if he reaches free agency.
Last month, another elite pass rusher, Pittsburgh's T.J. Watt, signed a 3-year, $123 million contract, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. Earlier this year, the Browns' Myles Garrett signed a 4-year, $160M deal, making him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history until the Watt contract.
After a training camp session last month, Bill Jones asked Parsons whether he believed the organization wants to get a deal done.
"Honestly, it really don't matter," Parsons said. "I have been pretty consistent. If they don't want me here, they don't want me here. I'll go about my business. I understand the nature of the business. Like I said, as long as I'm here under contract, I'm going to do what I have to do to perform at the highest level. If this is the end, this is the end."