Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons is expected to receive a massive contract extension this offseason, but Dallas is reportedly having discussions about trading the superstar to another team.
Tom Pelissero and Ian Rappaport of the NFL Network reported over the weekend that the Cowboys have had “some internal discussions about whether to pay Parsons or trade him for a king’s ransom.”
This report clarified that Dallas has not engaged with opposing teams about a potential trade, but there are still discussions about trading Parsons for a large return.
Parsons is set to enter the final season on his current contract and has said that he does not need to be the highest-paid player at his position, noting that he would rather be able to compete in the playoffs against the best teams.
“It would be nice to be surrounded by good players,” he said, per NBC Sports. “Players that will help me win championships, I’ll say that. To me, having $40 million and being chipped every play and slid into three, four people, that doesn’t sound too fun to me.”
Current projections from Spotrac state that Parsons will likely receive a contract worth roughly $30 million per season, though it could easily exceed these numbers if Dallas drags its feet during the negotiation process.
Unsurprisingly, the Cowboys’ ongoing desire to be in the spotlight has proven to be difficult for both current and former players.
Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb responded to the rumors that the Cowboys could trade Parsons, writing on social media that the team should focus on winning games rather than offseason headlines.
Y'all aren’t tired of this? Every offseason, top of the charts… Let’s just win ball games and that’s with 11! SMH https://t.co/JwZtRGMEsE
— CeeDee Lamb (@_CeeDeeThree) February 9, 2025
Former Dallas and current Kansas City Chiefs tight end Peyton Hendershot explained that the two franchises have entirely different cultures, and the Cowboys are more focused on headlines than winning.
“This is throwing no strays… but I just feel like when I came to Kansas City… my first experience in the NFL was the Cowboys so that’s all I knew… I just feel like here it is strictly football and winning. Nothing else but just football and winning,” said Hendershot, per RJ Ochoa of SB Nation.
“And I feel like with the Cowboys it’s a little bit more like… the public image. The extracurriculars that come with it, too. And here it’s just… let’s just win football.”
Now, Dallas will have to evaluate the situation with Parsons and determine what path would be the most beneficial for the franchise moving forward.