Cowboys LB DeMarvion Overshown Hires David Mulugheta

Dallas is all too familiar with Mulugheta, who also represents Micah Parsons and George Pickens. Owner Jerry Jones attempted to circumvent Mulugheta when negotiating an extension with Parsons last year, which led to the All-Pro edge rusher’s trade request and eventual move to the Packers.

Jones claimed that he and Parsons had a handshake deal in the spring without Mulugheta’s involvement, while Parsons and Mulugheta insisted that no such agreement had been made. That kicked off a series of back-and-forth shots in the media with the team only submitting one improved offer. Parsons, Mulugheta, and the NFLPA were all frustrated with Jones’ strategy of going around a player’s agent, something he has done in the past.

Despite that, a final attempt at a long-term deal was launched from the player’s side but soundly rejected by the team. Rather than play on his fifth-year option, Parsons sought (and received) an exit from Dallas.

This series of events raised questions about the Cowboys’ ability to work with other clients represented by Mulugheta and Athletes First, one of the biggest agencies in the sport. The team had already acquired Pickens before the Parsons saga reached its zenith, but his stellar season set up another offseason standoff for the Cowboys. Jones said in December that he intended to negotiate directly with Pickens – which likely did not sit well with him or Mulugheta – but no deal was reached before the end of the season.

The Cowboys then placed the franchise tag on Pickens and publicly announced that they would not pursue a long-term extension, another move that could be taken as a slight by the player and his agent. Pickens initially hesitated to sign his tag, but eventually put pen to paper just before the draft following a team “olive branch” to Mulugheta.

Now, Overshown is due for a new deal entering the final year of his rookie contract. The 2023 third-rounder missed his rookie season due to a preseason torn ACL in his left knee and took over a starting role the following year. Through 14 games, Overshown ranked second on the Cowboys with 90 tackles, including eight for loss and four sacks. However, an even more severe injury to his right knee again put him on the shelf, this time sidelining him well into the 2025 season.

The 25-year-old returned for just six games last year, but he was a noticeable improvement over Dallas’ struggling linebacker corps. In fact, Overshown was the only player at his position to receive a grade over 60.0, and no other Cowboys linebacker ranked higher than 17th out of the team’s 36 defenders, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

The Cowboys shored up their linebacker room this offseason by adding two former 49ers – Dee Winters and Curtis Robinson – the latter of whom is represented by Overshown’s former agency, The Familie. They did not, however, invest any draft capital at the position, indicating they are comfortable with their current options for the foreseeable future.

That should position Overshown for an extension, though Dallas may want him to demonstrate an ability to stay on the field before giving him a long-term deal. If those negotiations do open, Mulugheta will be wary of any attempts from Jones to negotiate directly with Overshown. Both sides may have learned their lesson and find a way to hammer out a deal privately, though Jones’ history indicates that will not be the case.