Micah Parsons officially requests trade from Dallas Cowboys after contract talks fail
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Micah Parsons officially wants out of Dallas.
On Friday, The Athletic reported that Parsons was considering “dramatic measures” after negotiations over a new contract had completely stalled out. Hours later, Parsons took to social media to announce he has officially submitted a trade request to Dallas Cowboys COO and co-owner Stephen Jones.
In a lengthy message, Parsons also detailed conversations he had with Dallas officials this summer. He said he wanted to “make this America’s team once again” and wanted to remain in Dallas. But, he took clear exception with owner Jerry Jones questioning his ability to stay healthy and said he “no longer want(s) narratives created and spread to the media” about him.
A 4-time Pro Bowler, a 2-time All-Pro selection, and the 2021 Defensive Rookie of the Year, Parsons has been one of the very best pass-rushers in the NFL from the first snap of his first game. He finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2023 after posting a career-best 14 sacks with 18 tackles for loss.
He is one of only 2 players in NFL history with at least 12 sacks in each of his first 4 NFL seasons. The former Penn State star was taken 12th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft and has produced 52.5 sacks with 63 tackles for loss in 63 appearances across his 4 seasons with the Cowboys.
Parsons is entering the final year of his rookie deal and some estimates suggest his next contract could earn him upwards of $40 million annually. According to reports, Parsons had been attending Cowboys practices but was not participating in on-field work.
On July 22, Parsons told reporters,” I want to be here.”
Less than 2 weeks later, that is no longer true.
“Yes, I wanted to be here. I did everything I could to show that I wanted to be a cowboy and wear the star on my helmet,” Parsons said in his post on social media. “Up to today, the team has not had a single conversation with my agent about a contract. Not one demand has been made by my agent about money, years, or anything else.
“Still, I stayed quiet, but again, 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. My trade request has been submitted to Stephen Jones personally.”
It’s unclear what kind of package Dallas would ask back in exchange for the 26-year-old Parsons. ESPN’s Adam Schefter referenced the Khalil Mack trade from the Raiders to the Chicago Bears in 2018 as a potential market-setter. In that trade, the Bears gave up 2 first-round picks, a third-round pick, and a sixth-round pick in exchange for Mack, a second-round selection, and a conditional fifth-round pick.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
