The ongoing disagreement, visible to the public, between standout defensive end Micah Parsons and Dallas Cowboys team owner Jerry Jones is cause for concern among supporters. As discussions become strained, Parsons reportedly sought a transfer on Friday, though Jones is assuring the fanbase that their worries are unfounded.
At the Cowboys’ practice session on Saturday, Jones made his initial public statement regarding Parsons’ desire for a change of scenery. With the team’s premier player expressing a wish to depart, Jones was questioned about the message he would convey to the fans, and his response was notable.
“To our fans, I would suggest that they not fret over this matter,” Jones stated, as reported by Nick Harris of the Forth Worth Star-Telegram.
While this might be easily said by Jones, persuading the supporters is an entirely different proposition. As the Cowboys commenced their practice on the field, attendees made their sentiments clear, expressing their strong desire for the team to compensate Parsons, recognized as one of the NFL’s elite defensive ends.
Shortly after trying to calm fans’ anxieties about potentially losing the team’s top defensive talent, Jones took another jab at Parsons. Jones asserted that he presented Parsons with a contract exceeding expectations, and that the defensive end turned it down.
“What you all aren’t aware of is the offer I extended to him,” Jones conveyed to the Cowboys’ official website. “And it’s significantly higher than you might imagine. That’s the part you’re missing.”
“Micah rejected it,” Jones continued. “He refused it. That’s a critical point.”
When prompted about whether Jones had communicated with Parsons following his trade request, the Cowboys’ owner and general manager conceded that he had not, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. Jones proceeded to express that this disagreement with Parsons, who is presently under contract with the team, makes him “question” whether the defensive star will fully honor his upcoming agreement.
“Ultimately, one must acknowledge that we are discussing an existing contractual obligation, which could potentially be undermined if an individual enters into a new agreement,” Jones commented. “It raises concerns about whether they will uphold that obligation. … And we currently have a contractual arrangement in place.”
Throughout the negotiation phase, Jones has been inclined to direct subtle criticisms towards Parsons. The prior month, Jones remarked on Parsons’ injury history from the previous season, incorrectly suggesting that the star pass rusher was absent for six games (he was sidelined for only four).
Upon the commencement of training camp, Jones was met with chants of “Pay Micah” from the spectators. He dismissed these chants as merely a “soft little sound” when compared to the fervent demands for him to remunerate superstar wide receiver CeeDee Lamb during the preceding summer.
While Jones has maintained his stance, Parsons’ fellow players have displayed their backing through various means. CeeDee Lamb shared a post on social media following Parsons’ trade request, and several Cowboys players have updated their social media profile images to feature Parsons.
