Micah Parsons contract dispute: Dallas Cowboys reportedly change their tune on trade offers for star defender

On Aug. 1, Micah Parsons publicly announced he’d requested a trade from the Dallas Cowboys. The team’s leadership previously stated it had no interest in trading the four-time Pro Bowler. However, on Thursday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter revealed the Cowboys may be changing their minds.

“Several teams have spoken to the Dallas Cowboys about a potential Micah Parsons’ trade and for the first time the Cowboys appear willing to at least listen,” Schefter wrote on X. “… The Cowboys would like to resolve the situation, one way or another, in the coming days with their season opener next Thursday against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Cowboys hold their first full practice in preparation for the Eagles on Friday.”

The Cowboys exercised the fifth-year option on Parsons’ rookie contract this year and could keep him under contract until 2028 by using their franchise tag on him. If Parsons opts not to play once the regular season begins, he could be losing $1.25 million each week.

However, it appears unlikely Parsons will play since he hasn’t been participating during the team’s fall practices. Though, it’s worth noting he has been attending the practices to avoid NFL fines.

Additionally, Parsons is reportedly battling back tightness and traveling to seek medical advice. In March, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones believed he had secured Parsons’ future with the organization when the two met privately and discussed the 26-year-old’s future with the team.

On Thursday, Schefter reported Jones had offered Parsons a five-year deal worth $40.5 million per year. At the time, the deal would’ve made Parsons the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback. Since then, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker TJ Watt signed a deal worth $41 million annually.

The deal between Jones and Parsons fell through when the former NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year insisted his agent spoke to the Cowboys to iron out the details. Jones reportedly insisted Parsons’ deal followed their initial agreement.

Since the dispute, the Cowboys haven’t offered Parsons a new contract offer. Parsons and Brian Schottenheimer met for an hour on Sunday, but the Cowboys head coach would reveal the details of their conversation.

Now, Schefter believes Parsons’ future may not reside in Dallas whatsoever. Last Friday, the two-time First-Team All-Pro motioned a phone gesture at a fan in Atlanta who pleaded with him to be traded to the Falcons.

Schefter didn’t reveal which teams have reached out to the Cowboys about a trade for Parsons. On Sept. 4, the Cowboys will kick off their season with a showdown against the Philadelphia Eagles at 8:20 p.m. ET. The game will air live on NBC.