Micah Parsons contract extension: Dallas Cowboys star reportedly considering requesting a trade, severing relationship with team

The Dallas Cowboys and linebacker Micah Parsons are at an impasse on contract negotiations. Just a month out from the start of the 2025 season, Parsons is considering taking “drastic measures which could include a trade request,” per Dianna Russini of The Athletic.

“The Micah Parsons-Cowboys relationship has deteriorated to the point where the star pass rusher is considering drastic measures which could include a trade request or even a declaration that he is severing his relationship with the team, per multiple league sources familiar with the situation,” Russini wrote on X. “The two sides remain far apart heading into the second week of training camp, and are not currently negotiating.”

Parsons, 26, is entering the final year of his rookie deal. The two-time All-Pro pass rusher negotiated directly with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones in the spring. According to Russini, the team believed they had a deal. Parsons’ agent, David Mulugheta, reportedly pushed back and wanted to negotiate further, but the Cowboys declined to engage with him. Negotiations have now completely stalled.

Parsons, to this point, has not been a training camp holdout. He arrived at Oxnard for Day 1 on July 22, and he has been present since. Ahead of the beginning of training camp, Jones addressed what was preventing a deal from getting over the finish line.

“Contracts are four or five years. There’s a lot of water under the bridge if you step out and do something in the first two or three. You can get hit by a car, essentially. There’s a lot to look at over a lot of years that could make a big difference,” Jones said. “Have you ever heard of any clubs committing to players and then they didn’t pan out after they committed to them? We have.”

Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys deadlocked in contract talks

One day later, Parsons had his chance to speak. For the first time, Parsons acknowledged the end of his Cowboys career might be on the horizon.

“I’ve been pretty consistent,” Parsons said. “If they don’t want me here, they don’t want me here. I’ll go about my business; I understand the nature of the business. Like I said, as long as I’m here and under contract, I’m going to do what I have to do to perform at the highest level. But if this is the end, this is the end.

“Same way the Joneses — Jerry Jones and Stephen Jones — take care of their family. It’s the same way I need to take care of my family. I got my own three kids of my own, so I need to take care of my own family at the end of the day.”

Parsons, the 2021 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, has made the Pro Bowl in each of his four NFL seasons and is a two-time First-Team All-Pro selection. He earned Second-Team All-Pro honors in 2023. Parsons has tallied double-digit sacks every season, totaling 52.5.