“The Sideline” is an opinion series that reflects my personal observations and analysis. These views are my own and are not affiliated with, nor do they represent, the Dallas Cowboys organization.
Time stood still in DFW at 4pm last Thursday, as the Dallas Cowboys trade their All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons to a conference rival, the Green Bay Packers.
This is an unusual trade for the Jones family, as they tend to stick with their stars, especially those they draft. Parsons marks only the second player that Jerry Jones has traded away following a Pro Bowl season – Safety Thomas Everett in 1994 – Jerry bought the team in 1989.
Among the media closely working with the team, they believe this trade has a huge indication that there was a lot of harm going around behind the scenes that what everyone was aware about.
For the most part, this negotiation seemed a little rocky. Though there were plenty of moments that shocked fans, that weren’t atypical. Parsons requested a trade on August 1st, which we have seen players do – Lamar Jackson in 2023 – and still end up with a deal. Micah removed all the Cowboy affiliations off his socials, much like his former teammate CeeDee Lamb did last year.
What worried me the most during this negotiation, we know Micah is a more online person with how active he is on social media and his podcast. I was always felt that when Jerry would go on rants about the contract negotiation and the unnecessary shots during pressers…it could hit a little closer to home.
The Concerns
Jerry mentioned in the training camp introductory presser his concerns about paying players early. “Contracts are four…five years. There’s a lot of water under the bridge if you step out in the first two or three…you can get hit by a car.”
There are clear concerns about paying out a bunch of guaranteed money, which is what every player wants now, and that it will ultimately cost the team if something goes wrong. This is why Jerry decides to wait until the last moment to make sure the money is going to the right place, but that has come back to burn Dallas at times.
During that same press conference, Jerry told the media that even if they sign him, it doesn’t mean they’ll have him, because he was hurt for 6 games last year (he only missed 4). He would also say they made Dak Prescott the richest player in football and he missed two-thirds of the year.
Which that comment would lead to the first of the back and forth of this battle.
As JJ Watt tweeted this in response to Jerry’s comments. Parsons would share this on his page. In addition Micah would not take too kindly to Jerry speaking about the possible ‘regrets’ of other big contracts, specifically naming Trevon Diggs and Terrence Steele.
Micah would do a joint press conference with Trevon Diggs and would verbally support Terrance Steele. There was doubt about getting the contract done in the eyes of Micah Parsons.
The big takeaway from his comments, “At the end of the day, I’m here for my teammates. I’m not here to please another grown man. … I’m here for these guys, I’m not here for him (Jerry).”
The Handshake in March
In a pre-draft press conference, Jerry Jones told the media, “I know about the years, and I know about the guarantees.” Jerry assured everyone, “I know about those kinds of things, and really it’s close enough to ….work on a number. I mean, I’m comfortable with it. I don’t need to adjust.” Claiming to have a ‘handshake’ deal with Parsons. But at this point, the Joneses had not had one conversation with David Mulugheta (Parson’s Agent).
Jerry wanted Micah to show better leadership before making him a top paid player, which Jerry said that is a typical ask of the top paid players on the team. They had a conversation about leadership and that is when the contract talk happened between Jones and Parsons, though Micah told Jerry to reach out his agent and never believed anything was formal yet.
Parsons never made a big fuss, he showed up to OTA’s and training camp, was with his teammates and never disappeared to Cabo. He was present, and put the ball in the Joneses court early on.
Through the early parts of the offseason, it was never a priority to get Micah’s deal done. How could it be? The Joneses NEVER called the agent. The deal could have been under $40 million a year if this got worked out early. Maxx Crosby became the highest paid non-QB in March at $35.5 million a year. In July, T.J. Watt signed his extension to overtake that highest paid spot at $41 million a year.
Now Parsons is a $47 million a year player in Green Bay. I think the Joneses could have gotten him for cheaper but I don’t think the money was the issue.
What Went Wrong In Their Relationship?
I truly think that the front office had deeper problems with Micah Parsons, and that’s why the leadership comments were some of the first things discussed when talking about Micah’s deal.
I think there were deeper problems behind the scenes, I am not sure what his relationship was in the locker room. But we know about his problems with Demarcus Lawrence on twitter and there was a viral video of Malik Hooker’s thoughts about Parsons podcast being a distraction.
We don’t know how others feel about this, but I am not sure Malik had all of these thoughts to himself and disclosed it in an interview for the first time. I am sure there was some agreement and confirmation that it was a real problem among teammates.
I think things like Micah having Jordan Love on his podcast a few weeks after the Cowboys were obliterated by Love and the Packers in the playoffs rubbed people the wrong way.
But I think the straw that broke the camels back was ultimately Micah lying on that table on the sidelines, while his teammates are playing a game.
The team in July said they had no intentions to trade Micah. I think that was 100% true in July, but when we got to August it all started to change. A few days before the trade, Micah was reported to be flying to see a doctor that could give him a second opinion on his back injury. Which was used as the reason he wasn’t practicing.
But as we approached closer to the Eagles game, it was clear Micah was going to sit out and hopefully an injury report wouldn’t cost him his game check. Ultimately the team decided to make the trade.
My Thoughts on the Trade
I think a lot of people are quick to react to Micah being a star player and beloved for his play on the field. I loved the concept of having that All-Pro pass rusher. But I am not sure if he was always that guy.
He is still in his prime of course, but we see a dip in his production after Thanksgiving. One playoff sack. He wasn’t help in the run game.
I think money is better spent on improving the entire defense over one guy, because they will just double Micah, which teams did and took him out of games.
Now of course this means you have to actually use the money for something good! Which that scares me.
Brett's Cowboys Corner 
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