Negotiations for a new contract between the Dallas Cowboys and All-Pro defensive end Micah Parsons have reached an impasse. On August 1, Parsons reportedly requested to be traded because he feels the Cowboys aren’t taking his contract discussions seriously.
Reportedly, there has been no direct conversation between the two parties ever since. As a result, there has been no development on a long-term agreement for who some consider the best defensive end in the NFL. This is troubling, given that Parsons has been skipping training camp practices in order to secure a new contract, and the Cowboys’ first game of the NFL season is fast approaching. They face the Super Bowl LIX champion Philadelphia Eagles on September 4, which is in less than two weeks.
Parsons said that his representative, David Mulugheta, contacted the Cowboys’ leadership to discuss the specifics of a new contract. However, Dallas hasn’t engaged with Mulugheta. That’s why the 26-year-old became annoyed, and he and owner and general manager Jerry Jones publicly disagreed through the media. Reportedly, delaying major contracts for key players is a recurring issue for the Cowboys, but Parsons isn’t interested in this strategy. Quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb previously experienced protracted negotiations before re-signing with the Cowboys late last offseason. Parsons is slated to play the last year of his rookie deal in 2025.
Here is a summary of what coach Brian Schottenheimer, Parsons, Jones, Prescott, and Lamb have stated about the defensive end’s contract negotiations over the past eight months, for anyone seeking to stay current on their status.
January
- Jan. 5 (Jerry Jones after season finale): “I will speak with Micah about this issue. He called, and I assume he is seated beside me at the Cotton Bowl. I suppose we will discuss it there.”
- Jan. 6 (Micah Parsons previewing Cotton Bowl meeting) — “It all starts with the fundamentals, such as ‘Where are we headed?’ How might we compete? How will we recover from this year? What plans exist?’ These questions are what I would ask, and I hope he asks me the same.”
- Jan. 14 (Parsons) — “It stings to lose a great coach like Mike [McCarthy], but the offseason will be very exciting. Very intriguing. A complete reset is coming due to free agents and coaching. It will be a difficult and interesting offseason, but I already have faith in my owner. I trust Will McClay, my GM (vice president of player personnel). I am confident that we will reach the appropriate conclusions.”
February
- Feb. 6 (Micah Parsons on if he’d take pay cut for Cowboys to trade for Myles Garrett) — “Absolutely, one hundred percent. And will he accept less as well? … We must make it happen. … Provided that he [Jerry Jones] gives me a little more [money] than him [Garrett]. … I am younger. … He [Garrett] also wants to join us. … As a Cowboy, I am doing well [off the field]. I want to win].”
- Feb. 7 (Jerry Jones) — “Well, we allocated the most funds to a player in the NFL the previous year. It would be wonderful to repeat that. Instead of focusing on the criticism we received last year, I believe you should examine how we handled free agency in the past because it will likely be more in line with that.”
- Feb. 11 (CeeDee Lamb reacting to report of Cowboys considering trading Parsons) — “Are you all tired of this yet? Each offseason, trending… Let’s simply win games with all 11! SMH.”
- Feb. 13 (Parsons) — “There has been no movement. Although I am fairly sure that something will happen. We’ll see. … I have great regard for Jerry. We are constantly having wonderful conversations. There is a strategy in place to see how everything turns out.”
April
- April 1 (Jones at NFL’s annual league meeting) — “I have spent five to six hours with [Parsons] personally and had numerous conversations. We mostly agree on the points, and I have talked about everything. We do not have a deal for a new contract, which is obvious. Micah is under contract. Thus, we will observe how that develops. I frequently interact with players personally, and in this instance, that is what I am doing.”
- April 1 (Jones) — “You shouldn’t be concerned about an agent. You ought to be more concerned about your capacity to succeed and what the player is doing. Is he in good health? Does he possess sufficient talent to justify your investment? The agent isn’t relevant here. And I don’t know his identity. Therefore, I am not trying to disparage him, but this is not about an agent. The agent has nothing to do with our actions on the field. Micah is. I do to the extent that I am involved. The individuals who will affect our interactions with fans and football going forward are me and the player, not the agent. In fact, the majority of those who negotiate with me will say that it was preferable than negotiating with Stephen [Jones] or anyone else. This is typical. I conducted direct negotiations with Emmitt [Smith] and Deion [Sanders] in the past. Furthermore, we have kept connections that have lasted far beyond their playing days.”
- April 1 (Parsons talking about his agent) — “David is the best, and I will not enter into any agreement without the involvement of @DavidMulugheta! As a reasonable person, I hired professionals for a reason. David is the individual I trust most when it comes to negotiating contracts! This contract discussion will be conducted openly.”
- April 22 (Jones) — “I am familiar with the years and assurances. The reality is that it’s near enough to work on a number. I am fine with it. There is no need for me to adjust.”
- April 22 (Stephen Jones) — “It usually takes time to reach the top contracts, as you can see when you look around the league at most of these players who are getting them. Believe me, if we could get Micah to sign for a price we wanted to, we would do it right away. There is currently a gap between what we believe is the proper number and what he considers to be the proper number.”
- April 23 (Parsons) — “It’s difficult because you don’t necessarily need to be there [at a $40 million average per year salary], do you? If the market is set at $35 [million], it backfires because you see Maxx [Crosby] go to $35.5, $36 [million]. Then you notice men who are older than you and can claim that your output and adaptability are comparable to theirs and ask, ‘Why?’ … I would contend that I am in my peak more than many of these other men who are in the second half of their careers. The difficult aspect is just being totally [honest] about ‘What is your worth?’ I don’t believe it’s about the money; it’s about how much someone values you.”
- April 23 (Parsons about getting a deal done before training camp) — “It is very vital. Numerous players struggle, fail to participate in camp, and get off to a sluggish start. I want to avoid getting off to a sluggish start. I want to begin immediately, establish ourselves in this league, secure early victories, and maintain our rhythm. Getting started and leading these men will be very vital.”
- April 23 (Parsons) — “Jerry always acts in good faith, and I believe Jerry is one of the nicest people I know, and my agent is one of the best people I know. It’s like when your brother and sister argue; you don’t take sides. You just remark, ‘Hey, they are approaching it from this angle. You are approaching it from this angle. Simply discover a way to meet in the middle without becoming angry.”
June
- June 10 (Parsons on getting a deal done before camp) — “I am quite hopeful. I am still clinging on tightly. I know it’s up to [Jerry Jones]. He gives everything the go-ahead. Hopefully, something will be finished by the following month.”
- June 12 (Dak Prescott on Parsons’ contract situation) — “Yes, but that is not to denigrate any of the other men. Every one of those circumstances is unique. I’m sure Micah shares my sentiments. Do not contrast him with Trey [Hendrickson] or anybody else. We are all certain that Micah will complete this agreement. It all starts with Micah and Jerry, and I believe they have both alluded to it. Naturally, I have had this experience a couple of times. He realizes the value of patience and maintaining proper behavior throughout.”
Micah Parsons is becoming vastly expensive, and Jerry Jones and the Cowboys have only themselves as a reason
Garrett Podell
July
- July 21 (Jones about Parsons) — “Just because we sign him, doesn’t ensure that we will keep him. He sustained injuries in [four, not six] games the previous season. In all seriousness. I recall signing a player for the highest salary at that position in the league, and he was taken out for two-thirds of the season, Dak Prescott. Therefore, there are numerous considerations to make when contemplating guaranteeing and committing funds, just as the player does.”
- July 22 (Parsons after the first camp practice) — “My agent has been in contact. At some point, a mature guy has to start reaching out for himself. Communication is a two-way street. They reached out, so that also needs to occur. They have to be willing to participate.”
- July 22 (Parsons) — “If they don’t want me here, they simply don’t want me. I’ll just mind my own business. The reality of the industry is clear to me. I will do everything necessary to perform at the highest level while I am here and under contract, but if this is the conclusion, then so be it. Similar to the Joneses. Jerry Jones, Stephen Jones, and Jerry Jones Jr. provide for their families in the same way that I must provide for mine. We all need to take care of our own families at the end of the day because I have three children of my own.”
- July 22 (Parsons): “I wouldn’t argue that it’s tough to avoid taking things personally when a chain of events consistently occurs over the years and you recognize it from other players and situations. I’m not being treated unfairly compared to other people, therefore I don’t take it personally. I simply don’t comprehend.”
- July 27 (Stephen Jones): “We also want to pay Micah. He needs to be willing to receive payment.”
August
- Aug. 1 (Parsons demands a trade): “Yes, I wanted to stay here. I did everything I could to show that I wanted to play for the Cowboys and wear the star on my helmet. I wanted to perform for the best fans in sports in order to make this America’s team once again. The team that my father and I rooted for while growing up in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Sadly, I no longer wish to be here. I no longer want to be confined to secret negotiations without my agent. I no longer want to be attacked for sustaining injuries while sacrificing for the company, our supporters, and my teammates. I no longer want stories about me created and disseminated to the media.
“I had deliberately kept quiet in the hopes of getting something accomplished. But allow me to clarify a few things since there is uncertainty. After my third year, I had my agent reach out to the Cowboys last offseason in the hopes of reaching an early agreement. Unfortunately, the team was unwilling to start discussions at that time. I didn’t object to that; instead, I concentrated on the 2024 season. After the season, I once again instructed my agent to inform the team that we were willing to negotiate during their meeting at the combine. I was informed by my agent that I should wait for other agreements to be finalized because the price would only rise, but I didn’t care and wanted to establish myself as a long-term Cowboy. This occurred prior to the completion of any other pass rushers’ contracts this offseason. I was aware that I would be leaving money on the table, but I was nevertheless OK with it. Still no word about my extension.
“In March, I spoke with Mr. Jones about leadership. The conversation eventually turned into a contract discussion with me. While I did participate in a back and forth regarding the terms of my contract, I never believed it to be a formal negotiation. I later informed Mr. Jones that my agent would be in touch, assuming this would resolve the situation. However, when my agent contacted [director of salary cap/player contracts] Adam Prasifka, he was informed that the agreement was basically already complete. Naturally, my agent informed him that this was not the case and also contacted Stephen Jones. Once again, the squad chose to remain silent.”
“We then decided that we would let the team contact us whenever they were prepared to speak. Yet, up until today, there has not been a single phone call, email, or text message to my agent to begin a negotiation. My agent has not made a single request regarding money, years, or anything else. I remained silent once more, but after numerous attacks and narratives, I made a difficult choice. I am no longer interested in playing for the Dallas Cowboys. I have personally given Stephen Jones my trade request.”
- Aug. 1 (CeeDee Lamb asks the Cowboys to cut the drama and re-sign Parsons): “It never ceases to amaze me. Simply pay the man what is due to him. There is no need for further activities.”
- Aug. 5 (Jerry Jones hasn’t spoken with Micah Parsons since trade request, not confident he’ll play Week 1) “No, not at all,” Jones said when asked if he reached out to Parsons’ agent David Mulugheta. “That is our routine when it comes to Micah. We are still negotiating contracts [with other players]. I am aware that Micah is foremost in your mind, but we are always working on contracts. Every club does. I don’t necessarily put a big red letter beside any time that we’ve completed contract negotiations, but I’m appreciative when we do. It’s all business as usual.”
- Aug. 5 (Jerry Jones hasn’t spoken with Micah Parsons since trade request, not confident he’ll play Week 1) “I purchased the Dallas Cowboys with only a handshake. It took about 30 seconds. Provided the number, shook hands. Later, we worked out the specifics,” Jones said. “One of the details required a sizable sum of money. … The essential, ‘I’m buying and you’re going to sell it to me for that range, that’s done.’ Those are made with eye contact and [a] handshake. … Just so you understand how I interact with individuals I negotiate with, so let’s leave it at that. … “”It is what it is,” Jones stated. “We will either work through it or not.”
- Aug. 7 (Dak Prescott highlights necessity for Jerry Jones to call Micah Parsons, Parsons’ agent) “Conversations with someone who has gone through what he is going through,” Prescott remarked after practice on Thursday when asked about the specifics of his recent texts with Parsons. “More along the lines of, ‘What is happening?’ … Just frustration that this is occurring, and I can state from experience that it is simply irritating, and I detest that he is going through it. As I have instructed him [Parsons], continue to handle things as you are, and I am confident that he will be compensated.”
- Aug. 7 (Dak Prescott highlights necessity for Jerry Jones to call Micah Parsons, Parsons’ agent) “I never went into [contract] figures [with Jerry and Stephen Jones],” Prescott stated. “There was a lot of involvement, particularly on this most recent one. The first one, maybe not so much, but this latest one, yeah there were certainly some talks. Definitely distinct discussions, particularly with Stephen, and they were fantastic discussions.”
- Aug 7 (Dak Prescott highlights necessity for Jerry Jones to call Micah Parsons, Parsons’ agent) “Yes, to some extent. I believe you should trust your representation, since that is what they are there for, simple as that,” Prescott stated. “I don’t want to talk about someone else’s situation, but I believe you just have to trust your representation, and I believe 11 [Parsons] is doing just that.”
- Aug. 7 (Dak Prescott highlights necessity for Jerry Jones to call Micah Parsons, Parsons’ agent) “At the end of the day, it is business, and we cannot turn something [that’s] business [something] personal,” Prescott remarked. “I believe that is when the split occurs. … Yes, it is definitely difficult [to avoid making it personal] when it is you, and you are involved 1,000%. That is why I said it is upsetting. Because someone has been there, therefore… if you are making it personal, and it is not about you, then you are incorrect. … Once that business agreement is finalized, you can proceed.”
- Aug. 7 (Dak Prescott highlights necessity for Jerry Jones to call Micah Parsons, Parsons’ agent) “No, not necessarily,” Prescott said when asked if he’d thought about Parsons going elsewhere. “Perhaps if I hadn’t been in his position and seen other men in his position get rewarded. However, I have faith in the Joneses and the squad, just as I do in Micah and his squad. … Eleven is a Cowboy.”
- Aug. 20 (Brian Schottenheimer ‘feels good’ about Micah Parsons playing Week 1 vs. Eagles) “I believe that we feel Micah will be present when we line up against Philadelphia in 15 days or so. I am confident of that,” Schottenheimer stated on Wednesday night.
- Aug. 20 (Brian Schottenheimer ‘feels good’ about Micah Parsons playing Week 1 vs. Eagles) “Micah is another man who takes excellent care of his body. You would prefer it sooner rather than later, but Micah will be ready,” Schottenheimer said when asked about the urgency of getting Parsons back to practicing. “He has been able to complete some of the walkthroughs. He has been able to attend the sessions. He comprehends the calls, as well as the many packages and other materials that we will utilize. That is a huge benefit. Then, of course, there is the physical component, which is usually the area of expertise for the players regarding their own bodies.”
- Aug. 21 (Jerry Jones says it’s ‘a team thing’ when referring to Micah Parsons’ contract situation) “Micah is an exceptional player, not just a good one. He is aware that it is a team sport more than anybody else,” Jones stated. “And thus, I know everyone is weary of hearing this, but you must assemble this puzzle so that you can have other individuals competing with Micah. That is the art of the agreement, and that is what we are attempting to accomplish and make work. However, we are extremely grateful for what he can provide for the years to come. We are happy to have him.”
- Aug. 22 (Jerry Jones claims Micah Parsons’ agent spiked negotiations: ‘Told us to stick it up our ass’) “When we tried to send the agent the specifics, the agent told us to shove it,” Jones stated.
- Aug. 22 (Jerry Jones claims Micah Parsons’ agent spiked negotiations: ‘Told us to stick it up our ass’) “We had agreed on the duration, amount, guarantees, and all else. We were going to forward it to the agent,” Jones stated. “The agent stated, ‘Don’t bother because we have all of that to negotiate.’ Well, I had already negotiated that. I had already shifted from my original position in a number of areas. To be honest, the issue is that I believe we have already reached an agreement. The agent is attempting to become involved and improve upon what we have already agreed.”
- Aug. 22 (Jerry Jones claims Micah Parsons’ agent spiked negotiations: ‘Told us to stick it up our ass’) “It’s a mama-daddy issue,” Jones said. “You go to mama, but she won’t approve. She is in control. She is unwilling to cooperate. So, you run into daddy, and he says, ‘Do it.’ Then, you return to mama and state, ‘Daddy approved.’ It’s the venerable mama-daddy scenario. We have all experienced it.”
