Micah Parsons, the phenomenal rookie linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys, is in a tough spot. With the team’s season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles fast approaching on September 4, Parsons is already on the contract books for this season thanks to his rookie deal’s fifth-year option. This option provides him the salary floor of $21.324 million. Despite his contributions as a rookie, recent developments have made it unclear exactly what his future with the team might hold.
On Friday, Parsons shocked most observers when he publicly asked for a trade. Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones laughed off the trade request. He described it as simply the nature of the ongoing negotiations for a longer term, multiyear agreement. He badly wants to get a deal done with Parsons. He also conceded that he hasn’t spoken to him since the trade request was issued.
“There have been no discussions between the team and Parsons’ agent, David Mulugheta,” Jones stated, indicating that communication lines remain closed at this critical juncture. Parsons has participated in daily walk-throughs alongside the team. He actually hasn’t worked out in any drills, leaving his status more up in the air than usual.
Jones seemed to cast doubt on Parsons being available for the Cowboys’ season opener against the Eagles, saying that Parsons “remains a race against time.” He noted that guaranteeing almost $200 million to a player is not something he is willing to do at this point. “What I offered Micah Parsons was a hell of a lot more than you think I did,” Jones asserted, insisting that he had made a substantial offer.
That could surely change as the Cowboys continue to play a dangerous game of chicken through these tricky negotiation waters. Jones said he was disappointed to find themselves back in the same place in March, where he thought they’d made meaningful progress on a consensus deal. The latest trade request seems to have changed the calculus entirely.
“Y’all are getting what’s in the mind or what’s in the said. This is a good time. He’s subject matter. What it is is what it is. We’ll work through it, or we will not work through it.” – Jerry Jones
The ‘Boys are preparing to host one of their other top rivals, in a little over a week from now. The cloud of uncertainty hanging around Parsons only makes their bye-week preps more challenging. As a result, the outcome of these negotiations will have far-reaching consequences not only for Parsons’ career trajectory but for the Cowboys’ 2023 season.
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