OXNARD, Calif. — The Cowboys have spent almost two weeks at training camp, 13 days to be exact, and we have our first trade request.
It comes from Micah Parsons, who requested a trade in a lengthy statement released on X on Friday.
Here’s the latest on what’s going on between the Cowboys and their star pass rusher:
What’s going on?
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On Friday, Parsons requested a trade from the organization, voicing frustration with a lack of progress in trade talks.
“Yes I wanted to be here,” Parsons said in his statement. “I did everything I could to show that I wanted to be a Cowboy and wear the star on my helmet. I wanted to play in front of the best fans in sports and make this Americas team once again. The team my pops and I grew up cheering for way up in Harrisburg, PA. Unfortunately I no longer want to be here.”
Cowboys officials had no comment on the trade request.
Parsons enters the last year of his contract scheduled to earn $21.324 million as part of his fifth-year option. Parsons wants a contract extension and the Cowboys have said they are willing to do it.
Parsons’ agent, David Mulugheta, is looking for a four-year deal that could reach $200 million in total compensation.
The highest average salary in the NFL for a non-quarterback goes to Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt at $41 million. He also has the highest fully guaranteed money for an edge rusher at $108 million. Nick Bosa ($170 million) and Myles Garrett ($160 million) have the highest contracts for a pass rusher in total compensation.
Parsons and team owner Jerry Jones met in the offseason and discussed the parameters of a deal. Jones thought a potential deal had been worked out. The pass rusher told Jones to contact his agent. Jones doesn’t speak to agents, though Adam Prasifka, the senior director of salary cap/player contracts, has spoken to Mulugheta.
Nothing of substance has occurred to lead Parsons or the Cowboys to believe a deal is close to being done.
Related:Even as Micah Parsons’ trade request shakes up Cowboys camp, Dallas’ brass remains calmWhat is Parsons doing?
On July 21, Parsons reported to training camp on time to avoid a $50,000 per day fine. Parsons is attending meetings and practices but not practicing. What Parsons is doing is called a hold-in. It’s when a player shows up to work, without actually working, to avoid getting fined. T.J. Watt, Brandon Aiyuk and Ja’Marr Chase are some of the notable players who conducted hold-ins in recent years to avoid getting fined. They all signed contract extensions.
If Parsons had conducted a holdout he would get fined $50,000 per day, something that happened to wide receiver CeeDee Lamb last year. The Cowboys could waive the fines to Parsons if he held out per the collective bargaining agreement because he’s on his rookie contract.
What’s being said?
Parsons has gotten support for a new contract from several of his teammates such as Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. Some teammates, including close friend Trevon Diggs, changed avatars on their social media platforms offering support.
Parsons said he’s not practicing because of a back issue, yet he’s not getting on-the-field treatment with the rehab team during practice as several other players have been, such as Diggs.
So Parsons watches practices and talks to his teammates about various techniques.
“I think Micah is doing great,” Cowboys co-owner Stephen Jones said. “It means a lot to him to be here with his teammates, hats off to him for that. We want him practicing soon. We rather have him out here practicing doing what he does best which is wreck a practice but hats off to him.”
Parsons said contract talks are up to Jerry Jones.
“I think they got their own timeline on when they want to get things done, at any given time they can get things done,” Parsons said. “So I don’t think that helps. I’m doing this for myself and my teammates. I’m not doing this for the Joneses or for Stephen [Jones]. This is for guys like [Diggs], this will help Donovan [Ezeiruaku] Sam [Williams], just be being here helping them.”
What’s next?
As of now, the Cowboys can do three things. They can trade Parsons or sign him to an extension. Of course, the Cowboys can let the stalemate remain in place until the club leaves training camp August 14.
During camp, the team has extended the contract of one player, tight end Jake Ferguson. He signed a four-year extension worth $50 million with $28.4 million guaranteed. The club also has plans to soon extend the deals of other players, such as left guard Tyler Smith, edge rusher Sam Williams, kicker Brandon Aubrey, and cornerback DaRon Bland.
Parsons is on the list of players to get a new deal. But the trade demand complicates matters unless a new contract offer settles everything down.
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