‘This Situation Has Gone Sideways’: ESPN Explains Why the Cowboys Could Call Micah Parsons’ Bluff

The dynamics of the situation are further complicated by the franchise’s willingness to play hardball. Unlike previous negotiations with players like Dak Prescott, where a deal was eventually reached, this situation seems more contentious. The lack of communication between Parsons and the Cowboys has raised concerns about the long-term implications for both parties.

If Parsons opts to sit out games, he risks losing around $1.5 million each week, a significant financial hit for any player. Teammates and coaches remain optimistic that he will be ready for the season opener, but the uncertainty around his contract status looms large. The Cowboys’ strategy of maintaining control could lead to challenges in team morale and cohesion.

ESPN’s NFL Analysis Explains Wht Dallas Cowboys Could Call Micah Parsons’ Bluff

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Dallas may end calling on Parsons’ bluff against the franchise. This is detailed more in an analysis by Dan Graziano for ESPN.

Don’t be surprised if … the Cowboys call edge rusher Micah Parsons’ bluff.

What I’m hearing: Parsons continues to sit out practices as he awaits a contract extension, but this situation has gone sideways. Team owner and GM Jerry Jones believes he and Parsons agreed on the parameters of a deal back in the spring and that the deal changed materially once Parsons got his agent involved.

Parsons, meanwhile, believes it’s Jones who is to blame — that the owner should have always anticipated that he’d be dealing with the agent. Parsons has demanded a trade and refused to participate in practice or preseason games.

The Cowboys’ season begins a week from Thursday in Philadelphia, and as the days dwindle, it looks less likely that Parsons will show up and play. Don’t expect a last-minute Hail Mary like the deal Dallas did with QB Dak Prescott on the morning of last season’s opener.

Prescott was practicing, and the two sides had been talking. This thing seems a lot more frosty, and Jones appears dug in. Unless Parsons relents and instructs his agent to get a deal done even if it’s on the team’s terms, it’s hard to imagine him getting his extension before the season starts.

So then Parsons has a choice to make: play on his current contract or not, with the Cowboys openly holding the threat of a 2026 franchise tag over him.

As the deadline for a resolution approaches, all eyes will be on Parsons and Dallas. The outcome of this dispute could set a precedent for how the organization handles player negotiations in the future. Fans and analysts are eager to see if Parsons will ultimately play for the franchise or if a trade becomes a viable option.

The standoff between Parsons and his current team is a developing situation filled with uncertainty. As both sides continue to hold their ground, the implications for the upcoming season are profound. The Cowboys’ decision to potentially call Parsons’ bluff may redefine the relationship between the player and the franchise moving forward.