Evidently, Micah Parsons was preparing for what he termed his “Last Dance” season with the Dallas Cowboys, evidenced by a “one last time” GIF he shared on Thursday.
Parsons accompanied the image with a response to a photograph featuring himself and Trevon Diggs during team training camp. Through this action, Parsons appeared to suggest that the upcoming season would be the final one with Diggs as his teammate on the Cowboys.
Sure enough, Parsons issued a public announcement Friday, revealing his formal request to be traded away from Dallas.
This request represented the peak of an escalating tension between Parsons and the organization, which traces back to the 2023 offseason when Parsons initially expressed interest in discussing a contract extension with the team.
This off-season saw tensions grow, leading ultimately to Parsons’ trade request.
But what exactly precipitated these events? The following timeline outlines the progression of Parsons’ unsuccessful negotiations with the Cowboys.
Before 2024 season: Micah Parsons inquires regarding extension
In his statement released on Friday, Parsons noted that initial conversations regarding his contract had occurred prior to the commencement of the 2024 NFL season. He indicated that his agent had made preliminary contact with the team to broach the subject of a new agreement for the prominent pass rusher.
Reports indicated that the Cowboys had communicated to Parsons their preference to defer any contract negotiations. Parsons indicated he accepted this and redirected his attention to the 2024 season.
Despite being limited to 13 games in 2024 because of an ankle issue, Parsons still managed an outstanding campaign. Despite his absence, he recorded 12 sacks and 23 quarterback hits. His performance earned Parsons a fourth consecutive invitation to the Pro Bowl.
After 2024 season: Micah Parsons makes another approach to the Cowboys
Parsons stated that he instructed his representative to re-engage with the Cowboys at the conclusion of the 2024 NFL season to pursue a new contract. His agent advised him to wait until other leading defensive players had secured their own deals. This, they reasoned, could potentially increase his market value.
Parsons suggested he recognized that he might be foregoing potential income, yet still instructed his representative to reach out to the Cowboys. He alleges that the team did not respond to any requests from his agent at this time.
March 2025: Jerry Jones and Micah Parsons hold meeting
With the contract discussions still outstanding, Parsons had a meeting with Jerry Jones, the Cowboys’ owner, purportedly “to discuss leadership,” according to Parsons.
During this meeting, Jones reportedly steered the conversation toward Parsons’ contract. Parsons reported that he engaged in the discussion and informed Jones of the terms he was seeking for a new contract. He clarified that he did not consider this meeting to be “a formal negotiation.” At the conclusion of their talk, Parsons allegedly said his representative would be in contact to “finalize matters.” When Parsons’ representative reached out, there was no reply from the team.
April 2025: Micah Parsons attends optional workouts
Some observers were surprised when Parsons participated in the voluntary workouts held in April. At that time, Parsons said he felt that it was crucial to back the new head coach, Brian Schottenheimer, and assume a leadership role for the remainder of the squad.
June 2025: Micah Parsons states he will attend training camp
Following his meeting with Jones, Parsons still did not have a deal. Parsons addressed the situation and said he planned to attend training camp, even if both parties had not agreed before then. He pressured Jones to finalize it, stating, “It’s in the owner’s hands.”
Parsons showed some disappointment a few days later, informing journalist Clarence Hill Jr. that the Cowboys were potentially losing money by delaying his contract extension.
During the offseason, numerous prominent defensive players agreed to new contracts, thereby increasing the baseline for Parsons’ negotiation demands. By June, Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett had both finalized agreements that made them the highest-paid non-quarterbacks in the NFL. Pittsburgh Steelers player T.J. Watt had not yet signed a new deal, but was anticipated to reset the market with a historic contract once terms were agreed.
July 2025: Parsons states that both parties are ‘further away’ from an agreement
True to predictions, Watt agreed to a three-year, $123 million extension with the Steelers. This made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL and upped the stakes for Parsons’ next contract.
Parsons reported to team training camp towards the end of July. He chose to skip practice because of a back issue. When asked about his contract status, Parsons said that his agent had contacted the organization and was awaiting a response.
Parsons also commented, “I want to be here. They write the checks, at the end of the day. We’ll see if they want me.”
The situation deteriorated at the end of July, when Adam Schefter of ESPN said that the Cowboys and Parsons were “further apart” than anticipated. Schefter said the parties had “gone backwards, not forward” and that negotiations were seemingly stalled.
Aug 2025: Micah Parsons asks Cowboys to trade him
The situation reached a breaking point shortly after Schefter’s assessment. Parsons posted a GIF that suggested this was his final season in Dallas. He then officially requested a trade the next day. In the intervening period, at least two Cowboys defenders changed their social media avatars to images including Parsons, showing unity among the players.
CeeDee Lamb, who went through his own contract negotiations last offseason, also expressed support for Parsons on Friday, advising the Cowboys to “just pay the man.”
What are Micah Parsons’ options?
Despite Parsons’ trade request, sources indicate that the Cowboys are unwilling to trade Parsons, as reported by Diana Russini of The Athletic.
Parsons’ performance justifies a lucrative new deal. He has been selected for the Pro Bowl in each of his four seasons and has been named a first-team All-Pro twice. Although he has not won Defensive Player of the Year, he has been in the top three contenders three times.
It remains to be seen whether Parsons gets this deal with the Cowboys. It is possible that saner judgments prevail and this situation is rectified. However, Friday marked a low point in the relationship that may see Parsons suit up for another franchise next season.
