With the National Football League season approaching, negotiations between Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and linebacker Micah Parsons have not progressed. The relationship between Parsons and the team is strained due to stalled contract discussions and a lack of communication between Jones and Parsons’ agent, David Mulugheta of Athletes First.
Earlier in training camp, Parsons requested a trade, but there has been no movement from Jones or the Cowboys regarding either a new contract or facilitating that request. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, “Micah Parsons’ trade request stands. But any movement on his future — trade, extension or otherwise — is stagnant because Jerry Jones refuses to communicate. (…) What I’m hearing on Cowboys management’s standoff with their star:”
Russini elaborated on the situation during an appearance on Scoop City: “We say it’s status quo, but I think it’s important to just highlight what’s happening here. Even if Micah wanted to open up this negotiation to remain a Dallas Cowboy, the Cowboys are not allowing that because they won’t talk to his agents. But you can’t negotiate a deal if you don’t talk.” She noted that although Jones has said he spoke with Parsons about a new contract expected to make him one of the highest-paid non-quarterbacks in the league, Mulugheta was absent from those discussions. Jones reportedly believed an agreement had been reached, though nothing was finalized in writing.
Addressing what could come next for both parties, Russini stated: “What’s next, right? Like, what happens here? Somebody’s gonna have to give. The agent can’t do anything because the owner doesn’t want to talk to him. So it’s gonna be on Jerry if he wants to do the deal, to pick up the phone and say, ‘Alright, put that to bed. Let’s renegotiate.’ But I don’t know if that is gonna happen.”
She continued by comparing this dispute with previous contracts handled by Jones: “I feel like in the past, with other deals, I always had belief that Jerry would just put aside the ego and open up the wallet and get the player that he needs on the field. This is gonna be a lot of backtracking by him. I don’t know if he’s gonna be willing to do that.”
In addition to Russini’s analysis, ESPN’s Adam Schefter also commented recently on how relations between Parsons and the Cowboys appear unfavourable at this stage. He said his impression is that both sides are trending “towards divorce.”
The lack of dialogue appears central as talks over Parsons’ future remain unresolved ahead of the coming season.
