• Loading stock data...
Sunday, August 24, 2025
The biggest names in sports media. All in one room. Buy tickets now!

Micah Parsons Requests Trade From Cowboys As Contract Talks Stall

Cowboys defensive end Micah Parsons requested a trade Friday, saying the team refused to speak to his agent about a contract extension.

Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

The NFL player who is widely seen as next in line to become the league’s highest-paid non-quarterback may be losing momentum toward reaching that goal anytime soon.

Hours after The Athletic reported that the star Cowboys defensive end was “considering drastic measures,” Parsons posted a note to social media detailing the nature of negotiations with the team, and finally saying he had requested a trade.

“I no longer want to be here. I no longer want to be subjected to close door negotiations without my agent present. I no longer want shots taken at me while laying it on the line,” Parsons wrote.

Parsons, 26, is entering his fifth season, set to earn $24 million in the final year of his rookie contract. He has been seeking a new deal that most insiders believe will surpass the three-year, $123 million pact Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt recently signed, which has an average annual value of $41 million in new money and made Watt the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL.

Amid contract negotiations, Parsons opted not to hold out or so far sit out of any practices at training camp. Parsons said in his note that he had spoken directly with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones over multiple days in March, and that his contract came up, but a deal was not done and he asked Jones to contact his agent. However, when Parsons’s agent, David Mulugheta, pushed back and attempted to negotiate further, Dallas declined to engage with him.

Parsons says the team has still refused to talk to Mulugheta about his contract.

Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb, who had a contentious negotiation of his own last year, posted this on X/Twitter shortly after Parsons’s note: “Never fails dawg. Just pay the man, what you owe em. No need for the extra curricular.”

A record deal for Parsons would give the Cowboys the highest-paid quarterback and non-quarterback in the NFL, as the four-year, $240 million extension Dak Prescott signed last year still carries the league’s highest average annual salary in new money at $60 million per year.

Khalil Mack is the last premier edge rusher who was traded in his mid-20s. He was dealt by the Raiders to the Bears in 2018 for two first-round picks, a third-round pick, and a sixth-round pick, and he signed what was then the richest contract ever for a defensive player: six years, $141 million.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

US Open Stretches Schedule to 15 Days, but Players Aren’t Happy

Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam left that starts on a Sunday.

Bill Belichick Tells UNC Football Team Hulu Series Is Happening

FOS reported last month that the Hulu series was nearing finalization.

The Honey Deuce Effect: How Tennis Perfected the Signature Cocktail

Sold every 1.5 seconds, they total more than $12 million in sales.
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up as the Texas Longhorns prepare to play the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoffs at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium.

Schools Are Hesitant to Allow PE Into Their Athletic Departments

Regardless of budget, schools don’t believe the risk is worth the reward.

Featured Today

Oct 2, 2024; Rosemont, IL, USA; Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti speaks with the media during the 2024 Big Ten Women’s Basketball media day at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.

‘Not Ready to Jump In’: Power 4 Commissioners Aren’t Sold on PE

Top leaders in college sports have yet to see a satisfactory proposal.
Nov 23, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin looks at quarterback Drew Allar (15) during the first quarter against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Huntington Bank Stadium.
August 22, 2025

Private Equity Enters College Sports—Without the Equity

As college football starts, lending agreements have become PE’s best way in.
Sep 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants running back Eric Gray (20) returns a kickoff against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half at MetLife Stadium.
August 18, 2025

‘Fauxbacks’ Throw Back to a Retro Uniform That Never Existed

Many throwback jerseys are brand-new designs or “Franken-Unis.”
August 17, 2025

‘Labubu Gang’: The Creepy-Cute Dolls Sweeping Pro Sports

The creepy-cute doll is the hottest collectible—and fashion statement.
Samuel Basallo

Orioles Give Catcher Record Extension Amid Adley Rutschman’s Stunning Fall

Samuel Basallo’s reported $67M deal would be a record for pre-arbitration catchers.
August 20, 2025

Tony Hawk Finds His Enduring Fame ‘Baffling’

The skateboarder said it’s “still kind of a shock” to be recognized.
Aug 20, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) celebrates in the second half as LA Sparks guard Rae Burrell (12) watches at Crypto.com Arena.
August 21, 2025

Paige Bueckers Wowing Crowds, Selling Jerseys Despite Wings Losses

Bueckers is second in youth jersey sales.
Sponsored

Building A Pro League From Scratch

Front Office Sports and Gainbridge® spotlight what it takes to build a professional women’s soccer league.
August 20, 2025

Struggling Kyle Tucker Benched Shortly After $600M Contract Buzz

The Cubs take action with their star outfielder ahead of his free agency.
August 20, 2025

Sophie Cunningham Receives 3rd WNBA Fine for Criticizing Refs

This is Cunningham’s third fine in about a month.
Daniel Jones
August 20, 2025

Vikings Set to Benefit from Colts Making Daniel Jones Starter

Jones never played a snap for Minnesota.
Aug 17, 2025; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Connecticut Sun center Tina Charles (31) and Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) work for the ball in the first half at Mohegan Sun Arena.
August 19, 2025

Sophie Cunningham’s Torn MCL Yet Another Fever Setback

The Fever guard is out for the remainder of the season.