Dallas Cowboys fans have received the news they expected but never wanted to hear. On Friday, star edge rusher Micah Parsons formally requested a trade amid ongoing contract negotiations that remain at a standstill.
He made the announcement on social media, where his disappointment over the stalled contract talks was clearly evident.
“Yes, I wanted to be here,” Parsons wrote. … “Unfortunately, I no longer want to be here. … I had purposely stayed quiet in hopes of getting something done.”
The situation draws parallels to a standoff involving Cleveland Browns’ Myles Garrett, who secured a record-setting contract that raised the bar for defensive players.
Parsons, a four-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro, is seeking a historic extension that would make him one of the highest-paid defenders in the NFL.
The tweet from Spotrac’s Michael Ginnitti captured the situation succinctly: “The last time a star edge rusher demanded a trade (Myles Garrett), he was handed a contract offer $4.5M more per year than any defensive player in history. Dallas is likely willing to go this route with Micah Parsons (as they did with Dak Prescott) – but it takes two to tango.”
Parsons’ brother, Terrence Parsons, shared similar sentiments. He urged Cowboys fans to stay calm, drawing a comparison to the Garrett situation.
“Yall chill lol Myles asked for a trade too,” he tweeted.
Garrett’s record extension with the Browns, signed in March, is a four-year, $160 million deal averaging $40 million annually. It includes $123.6 million guaranteed and features the largest average annual salary for a non-quarterback at that time.
Parsons expressed frustration with the negotiation process throughout the offseason. Now, if the Cowboys want to keep their star player, they may have to break the bank with a contract that sets new records for non-quarterback salaries.
