The Dallas Cowboys will kick off the 2025 season against the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, in just a couple of weeks, and yet their star player, Micah Parsons, is still not taking part in practices. Parsons is in the middle of a high-profile contract holdout, seeking a groundbreaking deal to make him the highest-paid pass rusher in NFL history.
Amid stagnant negotiations, Parsons has recently requested a trade, asserting he no longer wishes to remain with the Cowboys. Nonetheless, he has been attending team events, including an open practice earlier this week, although it is unclear if he is in optimal condition with the season opener approaching.
In a recent interview on FOX News Channel’s “FOX & Friends,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was queried about the likelihood of finalizing a deal with Parsons. Jones praised Parsons as an exceptional player, asserting that the situation is about the team rather than the individual.
“Micah’s a great player, not a good player, but a great player. He knows more than anyone that it’s a team thing,” said Jones. “And so, I know everybody is tired of hearing this, but you got to put this puzzle together so that you can have some other people out there playing with Micah. That’s the art of the deal, and that’s what we’re trying to get done and we’re trying to make this thing work. But we have all the appreciation for what he can mean for the years ahead. We’re proud to have him.”
What does Jerry mean by “it’s a team thing” in this context? Is he suggesting that constructing a competitive team while providing several record-breaking contracts is unfeasible? Should Cowboys supporters brace themselves for this saga to extend into the coming weeks?
Historically, the Cowboys have been known to miss out on maximizing financial benefits by delaying contract agreements. This was evident with wide receiver CeeDee Lamb last year and now with Parsons. Recently, T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers set a new market standard with a contract of $123 million, averaging $41 million per year.
NFL Media reported that there have been no serious discussions since Jerry and Micah had a face-to-face meeting back in March, while the new Cowboys coach, Brian Schottenheimer, feels optimistic about Parsons joining the team for Week 1. The clock is ticking.
