With a new NFL season comes another contract dispute between Jerry Jones and one of the Dallas Cowboys' star players.
In 2019, it was running back Ezekiel Elliott. Then there was quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb in 2024, and now it's defensive end Micah Parsons in 2025. Those first three all got their wish and received massive paydays without missing any game action, which has many believing that the same movie will play out with Parsons.
However, in the moment, Parsons and the Cowboys don't seem to be aligned in their thinking, and that has only been magnified by ESPN insider Adam Schefter's latest update on the situation.
"I would say right now we're nowhere on that deal. I would say right now we are further away from a deal in late July/early August than we were in late March/early April. The two sides have gone backwards, not forwards. I don't think they're speaking very much these days, if at all," Schefter said.
"This sounds different to me. This sounds a little bit more personal from both sides. It sounds like Dallas is upset with the fact that it felt like it was getting closer to a deal, and then that deal went sideways. And I think Micah Parsons feels like this deal should've been done. I don't think Micah is real happy with them; I don't think they're real happy with him. I don't think anybody is real happy with anybody. And I don't think there's a deal that's being discussed right now, not to mention being close," Schefter added.
How and why the Micah Parsons contract negotiations have gone sideways.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 29, 2025
Cc: @tyschmit
https://t.co/Rp8NPSbboJ pic.twitter.com/4mgf5wav2F
Certainly not the update Cowboys fans were hoping to hear on Tuesday afternoon.
As we know, Parsons is entering the final season of his rookie contract on a fifth-year player option, which Dallas exercised in April of 2024. The superstar pass rusher is set to earn just over $24 million in 2025-26.
The 26-year-old has been participating in Cowboys training camp, though he has voiced his displeasure with the current state of contract negotiations both in interviews and on social media.
Parsons is one of, if not the best, pass rushers in football, having racked up 12-plus sacks in all four seasons to begin his NFL career. His combination of strength, speed and pure athleticism is a nightmare for opposing offenses, and you can understand why he wants to be paid for it.
There's no doubt that the recent deals signed by defensive end Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns and outside linebacker T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers added fuel to the fire for Parsons. Garrett and Watt will both make over $40 million per season moving forward while already being 30 and 31 years old, respectively.
Expectations should remain that Jerry Jones will eventually pony up and pay his franchise player, but reports like these definitely don't help anyone in this situation.
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