Micah Parsons Requests Trade from Dallas Cowboys Amid Contract Dispute

Dallas Cowboys superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons has officially requested a trade from the team, ending months of contentious contract negotiations with a dramatic public statement posted to social media Friday afternoon.

In a lengthy statement, the four-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro declared that he "no longer wants to play for the Dallas Cowboys," citing the team's refusal to engage with his agent in meaningful contract discussions despite his repeated attempts to secure a long-term deal.

What Parsons Said

"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 wrote. "I wanted to play in front of the best fans in sports and make this Americas team once again. The team my pops and I grew up cheering for way up in Harrisburg, PA. Unfortunately I no longer want to be here."

Parsons concluded his statement by confirming: "My trade request has been submitted to Stephen Jones personally."

The Contract Dispute Timeline

According to Parsons' detailed account, the breakdown in negotiations follows a frustrating pattern:

After 2023 Season: Parsons had his agent reach out to the Cowboys about an early extension, but the team declined to begin negotiations.

2025 NFL Combine: Parsons' agent again contacted the team expressing willingness to negotiate. Despite his agent's advice to wait for the market to rise, Parsons wanted to secure a deal with Dallas, even if it meant "leaving money on the table."

March 2025: Parsons met directly with owner Jerry Jones in what was supposed to be a leadership discussion, but Jones turned the conversation to contract matters. The Cowboys later told Parsons' agent that a deal was "pretty much already done" based on these informal talks.

The Problem: Parsons emphasized that this conversation happened without his agent present and should not be considered formal contract negotiations. "Up to today the team has not had a single conversation with my agent about a contract," Parsons stated. "Not one demand has been made by my agent about money, years or anything else."

Cowboys' Response

According to ESPN's Dianna Russini, the Dallas Cowboys have no intention of trading Parsons, despite his formal request. However, teams around the league are already planning to contact the Cowboys to inquire about his availability.

The situation puts Dallas in a difficult position, as Parsons is playing the final season of his rookie contract under the fifth-year option worth $24 million fully guaranteed.

Market Context

The edge rusher market has exploded in 2025, with T.J. Watt recently signing a three-year extension worth $41 million annually with Pittsburgh, and Myles Garrett securing a four-year, $160 million deal with Cleveland. Parsons, who has recorded 12+ sacks in each of his four NFL seasons and totaled 52.5 career sacks, is positioned to command a record-setting contract.

Team Support

Multiple Cowboys players have shown support for Parsons during the contract dispute. CeeDee Lamb, who went through his own protracted negotiations with Dallas last year, publicly backed his teammate. Several Cowboys players changed their social media profile pictures to photos of Parsons, while Trevon Diggs posted "7/11 4L" in solidarity.

The Jerry Jones Factor

The situation has been complicated by recent comments from Jerry Jones about Parsons missing four games due to ankle injury last season. When asked about fans chanting "pay Micah" at training camp, Jones downplayed the volume compared to last year's "pay Lamb" chants, saying it was "a faint little sound."

Parsons and his teammates took offense to these remarks, with Parsons retweeting a post from J.J. Watt defending players who deal with injuries.

What Happens Next

Despite the trade request, Parsons reported to training camp as expected to avoid fines, though he has not been participating in practices. The Cowboys could:

• Trade him for compensation, though they've indicated no intention to do so
• Continue negotiations and potentially reach a deal before the season
• Let him play out his contract and use the franchise tag next year
• Risk losing him to free agency after the 2025 season

This situation mirrors the Cowboys' recent pattern with star players, as both Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb had drawn-out negotiations that weren't resolved until just before or during the regular season.

Industry Impact

If Parsons were actually traded, it would represent one of the most significant defensive player trades in recent NFL history. As a 25-year-old All-Pro entering his prime, Parsons is exactly the type of player franchises almost never willingly part with.

The situation also highlights ongoing tensions between modern NFL agents and traditional front office approaches, particularly regarding who has the authority to negotiate contracts and how informal discussions should be interpreted.

For now, the football world waits to see whether this is another chapter in Dallas's predictable contract drama that eventually gets resolved, or if this marks the beginning of the end for one of the NFL's brightest defensive stars in Cowboys blue.