While there's still no clear sign of which direction the Micah Parsons and Dallas Cowboys saga is headed, one thing is becoming increasingly apparent: team owner Jerry Jones may have sabotaged any realistic shot at signing Parsons to an extension — all because of one of his signature, old-school tactics.
“The fact that Jerry Jones and the Cowboys believe they can negotiate a 9-figure extension with Micah Parsons without involving his agent says everything about the current state of the franchise. This entire situation is laughable from the Dallas side. It could’ve — and should’ve — been avoided. But instead, the Cowboys’ operated with pure arrogance, foolishness and stubbornness,” NFL insider Jordan Schultz posted.
Following the breakdown in negotiations, Parsons formally requested a trade — though it's still unclear whether the Cowboys will honor his request.
“Still I stayed quiet but again after repeated shots at myself and all the narratives I have made a tough decision I no longer want to play for the Dallas Cowboys. My trade request has been submitted to Stephen Jones personally,” Parsons posted.
Since going public, Parsons has chosen not to comment further, offering only a brief statement to reporters:
“My mouth is closed,” Parsons told reporters.
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If the Cowboys decide to respect Parsons’ trade request, a potential destination could be the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“If the Pittsburgh Steelers have any hope of pulling off the biggest trade in franchise history, it's going to cost them more than they've ever given up for a single player... and it should. Parsons is 26 years old and is one of the best non-quarterbacks in the entire NFL. In this hypothetical trade, the Steelers would surrender edge rusher Alex Highsmith, a 2026 first-round pick, a 2027 second-round pick, and a 2026 third-round pick for Micah Parsons. While this offer seems rich, it would take a deal of this magnitude to pluck the potential Hall of Famer away from Dallas' grasp,” Still Curtain’s Tommy Jaggi wrote.
Pairing Parsons with T.J. Watt would be a nightmare for opposing offensive lines. Watt is already one of the NFL’s most dominant veterans — adding Parsons, one of the league’s top young pass rushers, would be overwhelming. A move of this magnitude would send a clear message to the AFC: it’s Super Bowl or bust for Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers.