Micah Parsons, the star defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys, has officially requested a trade from the team, signaling a significant shift in his relationship with the organization. The choice follows on the heels of longterm contract negotiations that have left Parsons with a sense of underappreciation, disappointment and exasperation. His agent, David Mulugheta, has reportedly been in discussions with the Cowboys about an extension. The Cowboys’ front office is once again largely fixated on inking extensions to players like Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb.
Parsons, at least at the moment, is willing to talk once the 2024 season ends. For all that, he is ready to endure the long delay in order to receive something more worth his merit. He felt sidelined as the Cowboys prioritized their investments in Prescott, who became the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL, and Lamb, who was signed on as the second-highest-paid wide receiver. Treated with such a lack of respect, Parsons was disgusted and inspired to act.
“I did everything I could to show that I wanted to be a Cowboy and wear the star on my helmet,” Parsons stated. I wanted to come play in front of the best fans in sports and turn this into America’s team again. The one and only team that my pops and I grew up rooting for up there in Harrisburg, PA.”
The internal dynamics of the Cowboys have loomed large in Parsons’ decision. Previously, he’d communicated to Stephen Jones, executive vice president, that Mulugheta would be calling to negotiate contract terms. The Cowboys’ side thought they had a deal agreed upon already. As Parsons explained, that was incorrect.
Sadly no longer willing to stay put, Parsons articulated his frustrations. For me, I decided that I didn’t want to be subjected to these back room deals without my agent there to represent me. I no longer want shots taken at me for getting injured while laying it on the line for the organization, our fans, and my teammates.
Last year, Parsons missed four games due to injury. This constellation of circumstances likely aggravated his sense of feeling underappreciated. His previous negotiations with fellow players serve to exemplify his thorough and devoted commitment lies with the team. Two years ago, he was able to convince Zack Martin directly enough to call off the dogs, ending Martin’s holdout and sealing a two-year extension.
This season, Parsons is projected to receive $21.324 million. He’s getting a huge advantage from his rookie deal fifth year option as a DE. Were he listed as a linebacker, his total value would jump to $24.007 million. This discrepancy has been a major sticking point in his negotiations.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones reacted to the situation of Parsons’ trade request at a press conference over the weekend. He pointed out that signing Parsons doesn’t mean he’s stuck around. “Just because we sign him doesn’t mean we’re going to have him,” Jones remarked. “He was hurt six games last year. Seriously. Signing Dak Prescott to an unprecedentedly high contract, at the time, for an NFL quarterback’s position. Sadly, though, he was concussed for two-thirds of the season.
When addressing fan reactions, Jones pointed out that the “Pay Micah!” chants aren’t quite as deafening. He said that they might have gotten the equivalently stronger “Pay Lamb” chants of last year. He admitted that all the people who clamored for what they wanted did not change the team’s financial plans or change the negotiations.
It brings us back, too, to Stephen Jones’s comment when we asked about the impact of Parsons with the fans. “We want to pay Micah too. He’s got to choose to get paid at all.
Parsons’ trade request has sparked the interest of fans across the globe. His own teammates have come together in support of him, taking to social media to voice their love and support for him. NFL Players such as Trevon Diggs, DeMarvion Overshown, and Juanyeh Thomas were out in support of Parsons’ comments during this crazy time.
The Cowboys find themselves in a very tough spot. It remains to be seen how they’ll get out in front of Parsons’ issues or if they’ll acquiesce to his alleged desire to be traded. What happens over the next few weeks may prove vital for Parsons and the agency as they both try to find some sort of resolution.
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