Dallas Cowboys’ Contract Stalemate with Micah Parsons
The Dallas Cowboys’ contract stalemate with Micah Parsons continues as the team prepares to leave for training camp in Oxnard, Calif., on Sunday.
The Cowboys’ star pass rusher seeks a contract extension that would make him one of the highest-paid non-quarterbacks in the NFL. Parsons is expected to arrive in southern California and stay with some family members, but whether he reports to training camp by Monday’s deadline for players is uncertain.
If Parsons doesn’t report on time, he’s subject to being fined $40,000 per day. Teams can reduce or waive these fines for players on their rookie contracts.
Parsons could also report to training camp and attend practices without participating until he gets a new deal.
Parsons and team owner Jerry Jones spoke this offseason about a new deal, two people with knowledge of the discussions told The Dallas Morning News. Parsons told Jones he needed to contact his agent, David Mulugheta, to help facilitate the deal.
That has yet to take place, and it appears Parsons is frustrated with the lack of progress.
“We obviously want to get it done early,” Parsons said in an interview with former WWE star The Undertaker on the Six-Feet Under with The Undertaker podcast. “We want that relief off our backs, but, obviously, ownership’s always going to make it drag out, make it more complicated than it has to be, lack of communication.”
Contract Negotiations and Holdouts
The Cowboys have endured contract holdouts with some of their best players in recent years, from former running back Ezekiel Elliott and former guard Zack Martin to current wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.
Elliott and Lamb received new contracts well into training camp and Martin got a restructured deal to increase his salary. Dak Prescott, who also sought a contract extension, inked his deal the morning of the season opener last year.
Negotiations with Parsons appear to be following the same timeline of a deal getting done late in training camp.
“I just keep working, keep going and then when it come, I’m gonna be ready,” he said.
Potential Contract Value
Parsons could sign a contract that surpasses $200 million in total compensation over four or five years. On Thursday, Pittsburgh pass rusher T.J. Watt agreed to a three-year extension worth $123 million, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history for the second time in his career. His average salary of $41 million tops Cincinnati receiver Ja’Marr Chase’s $40.3 million mark.
Cleveland’s Myles Garrett’s $40 million average was the highest for an edge rusher before Watt secured his deal.
With the average salary going up for non-quarterbacks, the starting point for Parsons might be $40 million.
What compounds contract talks with Parsons is that Cincinnati edge rusher Trey Hendrickson enters the 2025 season in the final year of his deal. Hendrickson is also looking for a massive contract similar to Parsons.
Hendrickson might get a new deal before Parsons and those numbers could only increase the amount of money the Cowboys would need to spend.
Offseason Activities and Communication
In the offseason, Parsons attended the mandatory minicamp in June but was an infrequent visitor to other portions of the offseason program. Parsons took limited reps during the mandatory minicamp.
He attended the first day of offseason workouts at the request of new coach Brian Schottenheimer.
“I’m pretty hopeful, I’m still hanging tight,” Parsons said last month when discussing if he wanted a new deal by the time camp starts. “I understand it’s up to [Jones]. He gives the green light on everything, so hopefully something is done by next month.”
On June 10, during the mandatory minicamp, Parsons and Jones spoke on the field for several moments. Parsons said the discussion wasn’t about the contract.
However, Parsons agreed the next steps toward getting a contract are up to Jones.
“Yeah, that’s what it kinda comes down to,” Parsons said. “He gives the green light, he’s the owner. He pretty much [knows] what it takes for anything to get done anywhere around here. It’s up to him. I’m still going to keep playing football and keep showing up and preparing like it’s any other year.”
Related News and Updates
Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
Conclusion
The contract stalemate between the Dallas Cowboys and Micah Parsons continues, with Parsons seeking a contract extension that would make him one of the highest-paid non-quarterbacks in the NFL. The negotiations appear to be following a similar timeline to previous contract holdouts with Cowboys players, with a deal potentially getting done late in training camp. Parsons’ potential contract value could surpass $200 million, and the team’s communication and offseason activities will be crucial in determining the outcome of the negotiations.
FAQs
Q: What is Micah Parsons’ current contract situation?
A: Micah Parsons is seeking a contract extension with the Dallas Cowboys, and the team is currently in a stalemate with the player.
Q: How much could Parsons’ new contract be worth?
A: Parsons’ potential contract value could surpass $200 million over four or five years, with an average salary of $40 million or more.
Q: What is the deadline for Parsons to report to training camp?
A: Parsons is expected to report to training camp by Monday, and if he doesn’t, he could be fined $40,000 per day.
Q: How do the Cowboys’ contract negotiations with Parsons compare to previous contract holdouts?
A: The negotiations with Parsons appear to be following a similar timeline to previous contract holdouts with Cowboys players, such as Ezekiel Elliott and CeeDee Lamb, with a deal potentially getting done late in training camp.
