The Dallas Cowboys find themselves in a tense standoff with star linebacker Micah Parsons over his contract extension.
Parsons attended the team’s first preseason game in Los Angeles but remained on the sideline.
He has avoided strenuous activities throughout training camp and missed Thursday’s practice due to a back issue.
The situation gained fresh attention Monday when ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky weighed in during Get Up.
“Do they want to get a deal done with Micah Parsons? I don’t think they like him. I don’t think they like each other. I could be dead-wrong, I just don’t,” Orlovsky said. “There’s something that feels like he doesn’t like them, they don’t like him. It is a personal dislike that isn’t attached to just money.”
“I don’t think they like each other.”
—@danorlovsky7 on Micah Parsons and the Cowboys pic.twitter.com/tfzmExZCrL
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) August 11, 2025
Parsons recently made a trade request through social media. He expressed his childhood dream of playing for Dallas but also aired frustrations about constant criticism and how he learns about it through media reports.
His discontent with the organization makes sense given these circumstances.
Dallas seems prepared to move on from Parsons both as a player and personally. The team’s silence for over a week following his trade request tells the story.
The Cowboys and owner Jerry Jones appear to have taken offense to his demands and responded by dismissing them entirely.
The relationship has turned toxic. What started as contract negotiations has evolved into something deeper and more personal. Both sides seem dug in on their positions.
However, Jones has a history of eventually caving to star players’ demands. Despite the current friction, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Cowboys’ owner ultimately decides to pay his defensive star.
The franchise has shown before that keeping elite talent often trumps pride when push comes to shove.
NEXT: Brian Schottenheimer Gives Major Endorsement To Cowboys’ Rookie
