When Micah Parsons rolled out his trade request two weeks ago, it quickly became known the Cowboys had no intention of granting it. Considering Parsons’ status as Dallas’ top player and one of the league’s best overall talents, no deal ever seemed realistic.
We have seen similar standoffs lead to blockbuster trades in the recent past. Khalil Mack‘s Raiders negotiations devolved into a blockbuster trade with the Bears. Jamal Adams‘ 2020 Jets talks ended up leading him to Seattle. Both trades required packages headlined by two first-round picks.
Both those instances involved a team trading a player a previous regime drafted, as Reggie McKenzie and Mike Maccagnan respectively drafted those defenders in the top 10 — before Jon Gruden– and Joe Douglas-orchestrated trades occurred. The Cowboys’ Jerry Jones–Stephen Jones–Will McClay operation, of course, drafted Parsons in 2021. Although the sides are not believed to be actively negotiating an extension right now, Parsons continues to show up for practice as an observer. The Cowboys will almost definitely not take the opportunity to cash out on one of the NFL’s top assets now.
GMs have not gotten the sense Parsons is available, according to Yahoo.com’s Charles Robinson, who adds one anonymous front office boss informed him of a sense Parsons being available would have come with a trade price no team could realistically meet. Considering Parsons’ status as a three-time All-Pro and having posted four straight double-digit sack seasons to open his career — only Parsons and Reggie White have done that — the Cowboys would have been poised to ask for a historic trade package for an early-prime player.
The 2016 Defensive Player of the Year who was traded ahead of his fifth-year option season, Mack is the closest comp here. Mack’s Oakland tenure was not quite as consistent as Parsons’ first four Dallas seasons, despite ascending to a DPOY perch Parsons has yet to, and the superstar was going into an age-27 season at the time he was dealt to Chicago. Mack fetched two firsts, a third and a sixth (in a deal that sent the Raiders a second and a conditional fifth).
Were Parsons to be traded, he would be highly unlikely — given how cap growth has changed in the years since — to accept a six-year extension like Mack did. The defensive end’s preference for a shorter-term deal has brought a potential sticking point, as the Cowboys regularly prefer longer-term pacts. But the prospect of a team needing to give Parsons a deal perhaps near $45MM per year would naturally affect a trade price.
Trade rumors and speculation came up well before Parsons’ request surfaced, but it was never viewed as a likely outcome — even after the Cowboys gave Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb top-market deals. Parsons has not shifted to a holdout, which is interesting given that this process has differed from past Cowboys extension sagas due to a trade request emerging. The Cowboys could also waive Parsons’ daily fines in a holdout since he is attached to a rookie contract.
If this impasse persists, Parsons would effectively need to play the holdout card if it came down to remaining unhappy with the situation by Week 1. The Cowboys are banking on the impact pass rusher not being ready to miss out on $1.5MM game checks. The team did not complete its Lamb deal until August 26, 2024 and famously did not have Prescott’s done until hours before Week 1. Time remains during the latest overly long Dallas negotiation.
Other teams know this is just another Jerry circus that will end in him driving the price up for himself avoidably.
I came to the conclusion today that I think this is all a show, and the players are in on it. I think those “meetings with only the player and no agent” is where Jerry says “look, you’re gonna get paid, and paid well, just play my game for a year. Tweet crazy stuff about wanting out, make it dramatic”. Yes, it means he pays way more for his players, but I don’t think he cares. I actually don’t think he even cares that much about winning any more. He’s been clear in the media that he’s never gonna let his team not be in headlines. He blatantly said if it ever gets quiet he’ll get the media’s attention. I think the players are in on it. Jerry can guarantee drama and media attention easily, he can’t guarantee a superbowl every year. I think he’s chosen that above all other things
It’s too bad Zapruder isn’t around to film Jerry and Micah conspiring behind the grassy knoll 🙂
Haha honestly though does this even seem too far fetched? When I saw Jerry basically come out and say it to cameras, it hit me that the players are in on it too. Between Martin, CeeDee, Micah, and ESPECIALLY Dak, one of them would have left by now if this is really how it goes down. Dak had so much leverage it’s not even funny, he had no reason to tolerate Jerry. I honestly think they’re all a part of this big show. Dallas Cowboys are WWE wrestling basically. Literally scripting these fake offseason quarrels.
There probably was a time when Jerry could have been a brilliant puppet master, scripting intricate conspiracies but he’s 82 now and probably can’t remember if he’s taken his medication most of the time.
I don’t think the players are in on it because I don’t know how that’d go over with other players. If I’m a pass rusher, I’m depending on Micah to help set the market for me. If he deliberately waits to be w part of the circus, it well could cost other players a little bread.
You absolutely can sell me on the rest of that, though. Jerry is a terrible owner, but the man knows how to get attention.
Yea I guess my thought is Micah ultimately gets paid more by dragging this out. So if he gets sold on “play my little game and you’ll get more money”, you really never know. He’s a podcaster, he likes the fame. I’m just sayin haha
Appalachian – I think Jerry is a wonderful owner. The Cowboys are the first NFL franchise to be evaluated worth 12b+.
He is a terrible general manager. As a GM/owner, he can’t admit he has failed. I believe it’s because he is such a successful owner, that he cannot see that he’s failing as a GM.
There is no accountability. Who is going to fire him? It’s hard to come to the conclusion that your organization is failing when that same organizations’ value keeps increasing and lining your pockets.
Yeah, nobody is going to vastly overpay for a one dimensional pass rusher that can’t stop the run to save his life. Nobody that is, but the Cowboys.
Parsons will be wearing the Star this season. Jerry Jones is known to cave in. Parsons will become the highest paid non- quarterback [41 million] in the NFL. The Cowboys over the next 3 season will have the highest paid players in their positions-[2025-26 and 2027]- the Cowboys will have to win a Super Bowl in one of those seasons to justify the signings. Especially the Dak Prescott signing in 2024.
No more than 3 teams can win the Super Bowl in those 3 years. With that logic falcons bears commanders colts giants are top 5 teams then they should win it or its a failure .
Cowboys are a joke and Jerry is a celebrity. This is how Jerry wants it. Look at me, look at me. I’m old white rich guy talking out of his backside while other teams win super bowls.
Cowboys have not been “America’s team” for decades.
In the time that Jerry has been in charge, the Pats won 6 out of 9, Steelers added to their total, Giants got 2, Eagles 2, and the Chiefs are now a dynasty. Meanwhile “how bout them Cowboys” Jerry Jones has had more bad tv cameos than playoff wins.
Cowboy fans, move on. They wont win while Jones is GM.