Micah Parsons trade request: Jerry Jones tells Dallas Cowboys fans 'don't lose any sleep over this'

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones spoke Saturday for the first time since Micah Parsons made his trade request. He had a strong message to fans: “Don’t lose any sleep over this.”

Parsons went public with his trade request Friday afternoon, marking the latest turn in his contract negotiations with the Cowboys. He made it clear he did not want to be in Dallas anymore as he seeks a long-term deal, which would likely make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL.

As he spoke with reporters following Saturday’s practice, Jones addressed Parsons’ request. That’s when he said he would tell fans not to “lose any sleep” over the situation and also reaffirmed he has no plans to trade the star linebacker despite the request.

“I think the world of Micah,” Jones said, via The Athletic’s Jon Machota. “That’s just the part of negotiation. I don’t really place that with any seriousness.”

News of Parsons’ plan to request a trade broke Friday morning when The Athletic’s Dianna Russini said he intended to do so. Hours later, the Cowboys star shared a lengthy message on social media making his request clear, saying he doesn’t want to play for the franchise anymore.

The expectation is Parsons will become one of the highest-paid players in the league, though the market has shifted a few times this offseason. Now, he wants out.

“Unfortunately, I no longer want to be here,” Parsons wrote, in part. “I no longer want to be held to closed-door negotiations without my agent present. No longer want shots taken at me for getting injured while laying it on the line for the organization, our fans and my teammates. I no longer want narratives created and spread to the media about me. … I no longer want to play for the Dallas Cowboys. My trade request has been submitted to [Cowboys CEO] Stephen Jones personally.”

Adam Schefter: ‘Jerry Jones wants to win now’

Micah Parsons and Jerry Jones reportedly spoke earlier in the offseason about a potential deal, which would not only keep the star pass rusher in Dallas, but pay him among the top defenders in the league. Even after the trade request, though, the question became whether the Cowboys would actually make such a move.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter considered that question Friday afternoon. He pointed out Jones’ history likely suggests he might not plan to honor the request.

“I’ve been trying to think of the last time that Jerry Jones traded a Pro Bowl-caliber player away. And I cannot think of any,” Schefter said on NFL Live. “Now, there are comps out there. If you look at the time that the Raiders traded Khalil Mack to the Bears right before the season began in September for a couple of first-round picks and other compensation, that would be the closest comp.

“But Jerry Jones wants to win now. He’s not looking to win in the future. He’s not looking for future draft picks. And his history suggests that he won’t be willing to make a trade here. Now, we have yet to hear from the Dallas Cowboys about how they feel about this particular situation.”