Cowboys take stance following Micah Parsons’ trade demand

Micah Parsons has made his desire to be traded from the Cowboys abundantly clear, but the team’s front office has no plans to make that wish come true. 

Shortly after Parsons announced his trade request with a lengthy statement on X Friday, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported that the Cowboys have “no intention” to trade the superstar defensive end. 

Russini added that teams around the NFL are planning to check in with Dallas about Parsons’ potential availability nonetheless.

Parsons, a 26-year-old widely regarded as one of the best defensive players in football, has been in a contract dispute with the Cowboys throughout the offseason. 

The four-time Pro-Bowler, entering the fifth and final season of his rookie contract, would make $24 million in 2025 if he were to play for Dallas without signing the massive extension he is due for. 

In his statement, Parsons said he personally submitted his trade request to Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones on Friday. 

“Unfortunately I no longer want to be here,” Parsons wrote. “I no longer want to be held to close door negotiations without my agent present. I 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 have made a tough decision I no longer want to play for the Dallas Cowboys.”

The Penn State product said he had an informal conversation about leadership with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones in March, which turned into a discussion about Parsons’ new contract.

Parsons said he explained what he hoped to receive in his new contract and told Jones his agent would be in touch, then ending the meeting.

“In March, I met with Mr. Jones to talk about leadership,” Parsons said. “Somehow the conversation turned into him talking contract with me. Yes I engaged in a back and forth in regards to what I wanted from my contract, but at no point did I believe this was supposed to be a formal negotiation and I informed Mr. Jones afterward my agent would reach out thinking this would get things done.

“But when my agent reached out and spoke to (ESPN’s) Adam (Schefter) he was told the deal was pretty much already done. My agent of course told him that wasn’t the case and also reached out to Stephen Jones. Again the team decided to go silent.”

The Cowboys open the season on the road against the Eagles on Sept. 4.