Micah Parsons trade request: ESPN insider floats possibility of Cowboys using franchise tag on star pass rusher

Micah Parsons has made it abundantly clear he wants out of Dallas. However, just because the All-Pro outside linebacker has requested a trade doesn’t mean the Cowboys are under any obligation to move him.

In fact, one could argue the Cowboys have all the leverage. Parsons is under contract this season, set to earn $24 million as part of his fifth-year option. From there, Dallas has the ability to franchise tag him twice, a possibility that ESPN‘s Dan Graziano discussed on Friday’s “Get Up.”

“The thing to understand here is the Cowboys are dug in,” Graziano said. “Jerry Jones has, for some reason, taken it very personally that the deal he thought he had negotiated back in March didn’t seem to be a binding one in the eyes of Micah Parsons. Right now, the Cowboys’ position is ‘Yeah, we can franchise you. We can franchise you twice.’

“Micah Parsons is not in a position where he can sit out the season and get what he wants. The Cowboys do hold some cards and they’re waiting for something to change, I gues,s in Micah Parsons’ stance. It’s an ugly situation that does not appear to be progressing towards a conclusion. In the end, it could be the Cowboys just dare Micah Parsons to not show up until they go ‘Hey, you’re under contract. Let’s talk about this next offseason.”

Dak Prescott weighs in on Micah Parsons contract saga

History has shown us Jones isn’t afraid to use the franchise tag if he has to. Quarterback Dak Prescott was tagged in 2020 and again in 2021 as they worked through negotiations on a long-term extension, which he signed in March 2021.

Prescott is confident something will get worked out. Going through the experience, personally, and watching other teammates deal with the Cowboys makes him believe.

“No, not necessarily,” Prescott said Thursday when asked if he’s thought about Parsons playing elsewhere. “I think if I wouldn’t have been in his shoes, and watched other guys be in his shoes and get rewarded, maybe. But I’ve got faith in the Joneses and the team as I do in Micah and his team. 11 is a Cowboy.”

Jones reassured the media that Dallas has “no intention” of honoring Parsons’ trade request. Still, he said Tuesday that he hasn’t started contract talks with Parsons’ representatives.

“We will work through it,” Jones said. “Or we won’t work through it.”