Micah Parsons Considers Cowboys Exit Amid Contract Dispute

Star Pass Rusher at Odds with Dallas Over Negotiations

Star pass rusher **Micah Parsons** is reportedly contemplating significant actions, including demanding a trade or ending his tenure with the Dallas Cowboys, as contract talks remain stalled and fraught with tension.

Negotiation Breakdown Fuels Standoff

A deep rift has formed between **Parsons** and the Cowboys, stemming from a miscommunication during spring discussions with owner **Jerry Jones**. While **Jones** believed a deal was close, **Parsons** understood those sessions as preliminary talks, wanting his agent to handle official negotiations. The team’s refusal to engage with his agent has escalated the situation into a critical impasse.

Micah Parsons, Trevon Diggs pic.twitter.com/1yX0n70s4j

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) July 31, 2025

Currently, **Parsons**, in the final year of his rookie contract, is present at training camp but is not participating in on-field drills. The four-time Pro Bowl selection is widely expected to command an annual salary exceeding $40 million on his next contract.

Owner Remains Optimistic, But Cautious

“We’re just working with what it is,” **Jones** told reporters on July 21. “It’s not uncommon for me, and not anything there’s a lot of angst over. He’s doing a real good job of being here. And that’s important. … We are where we are. And I sign the check. Period.”

—Jerry Jones, Dallas Cowboys Owner

**Parsons** last addressed the media on July 22, stating his desire to remain with the team but acknowledging the business realities.

“I want to be here. At the end of the day, they sign the checks. Let’s see if they want me to be here.

I’ve been pretty consistent. If they don’t want me here, I’ll go about my business. I understand the nature of the business. As long as I’m here and under contract, I’m going to do what I have to do to perform at the highest level. But if this is the end, then this is the end.”

—Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys Pass Rusher

History of Contract Holdouts in Dallas

The Cowboys have a history of contentious contract disputes with key players. In recent years, stars like **Ezekiel Elliott**, **Zack Martin**, and **CeeDee Lamb** have staged holdouts that extended into the summer before reaching agreements. However, none of those situations escalated to the point of a trade request.

The league has seen similar situations where star players hold out for better contracts. For example, in 2023, star defensive lineman **Aaron Donald** of the Los Angeles Rams sat out part of training camp before signing a lucrative extension, highlighting the leverage players can wield. (ESPN, 2023)