The contract situation between Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys is getting more complicated by the day. Earlier this offseason, the Cleveland Browns extended Myles Garrett, giving him the largest non-quarterback contract in NFL history.
Averaging $40 million a year, the Garrett mega-deal — four years at $160 million — immediately drove up the already steep price Dallas was going to have to pay to keep Parsons happy.
Following a tense exchange between Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Parsons’ agent, a former NFL quarterback suggested that if Parsons’ ultimate goal is to win and get paid, he should request a trade from the Cowboys.
Robert Griffin III Suggested Micah Parsons Should Request Trade From Cowboys
Jones took a shot at Parsons’ agent, David Mulugheta, on April 1 saying he didn’t even his name: “I’m not trying to demean him in any way, but this isn’t about an agent,” Jones said, via CBS Sports. The 25-year-old star immediately fired back at Jones on social media by stating he wouldn’t negotiate any contract unless his agent was involved.
Shortly after tensions escalated, former quarterback-turned-analyst Robert Griffin III posted a bold take on his X account. Then one-time Pro Bowler took a shot at the Cowboys when he not-so-subtly suggested that Parsons should request a trade.
If Micah Parsons wants to win AND get paid, he should demand a trade from the Dallas Cowboys.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 1, 2025
Drama in Dallas is nothing new during the offseason. It’s kind of a yearly ritual. Not only are the Cowboys the most heavily covered franchise in the media, but the franchise is the most valuable in all of sports — thanks to a market valuation of $10.1 billion, according to Forbes — and Jones constantly gets criticized for his unflinching dual role as owner and general manager.
One Cowboys fan expressed his frustration with the current state of the team, particularly with Jones’ uneven leadership.
Cujo wrote: “As a Cowboys fan I hate to say it but he’s not lying. Jerry and Capboy have ruined this franchise over the last few years and winning is not a top priority for them! They care about profits and that’s it! They will never do what it takes to win these days!”
Parsons has been the heart and soul of the Dallas defense since being drafted by the franchise in 2021. He has recorded at least 12 sacks in each of his four NFL seasons, bringing his career total to 52.5 sacks in 63 games. He has earned a Pro Bowl selection in four straight seasons while winning AP Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2021.
What Would Landmark Dallas Trade Look Like?
If Parsons were to request a trade out of town, it’s widely believed the price Dallas would ask for wouldn’t easily align with what the market is willing to offer. Any interested team would likely need to part with multiple first-round picks — and possibly even more.
On top of that, a trade partner would also need the financial flexibility to not only give up significant draft capital but also the salary-cap space to sign Parsons to a landmark deal that would likely reset the market for the linebacker position.
If the two sides fail to reach a deal in 2025, Parsons could choose to hold out or play the final year of his contract and enter free agency in 2026 at which point he would undoubtedly be the most sought-after player on the market.
For Dallas, the options would be to negotiate with Parsons during the season or wait until 2026 free agency. If neither path leads to a deal, the team’s last resort would be to use the franchise tag which is currently projected at $26.5 million for defensive ends and $28.9 million for linebackers (via OverTheCap), depending on how Parsons is classified.