Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinee Troy Aikman commented on the ongoing situation between Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys. Speaking during Monday Night Football, Aikman said Parsons’ importance to the team is critical.
“His leverage is that they can’t win without him. … Without Micah Parsons, I don’t think they’re gonna be able to slow anybody down. … He is a generational talent,” Aikman said.
The Cowboys’ defense has faced criticism during the preseason after allowing 150 yards rushing to the Baltimore Ravens.
Another former Cowboys player, Emmitt Smith, also shared his perspective on negotiations and leverage in contract disputes based on his own experience with team owner Jerry Jones over 30 years ago. Smith expressed a different view than Aikman regarding who holds more leverage in the current situation.
“I lost leverage, and that’s where Micah Parsons is at right now, is not having enough leverage. But he also has another year on his contract, so there’s a distinct difference between a holdout and being a free agent (which Smith was at the time). The NFL did a good job of branding that moniker on me with the public. So everybody brings it up in that context, but I’m here to set this record straight,” Smith said.
Negotiations between Parsons and the Cowboys remain unresolved as both sides have yet to make significant moves toward an agreement.
