Eric Williams
NFL Reporter
OXNARD, Calif. — Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones stood yards away from talented edge rusher Micah Parsons during his team’s joint practice against the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday. However, that relative proximity didn’t lead to an advance in contract talks with the Cowboys’ top defensive star.
Jones shared he has not spoken to Parsons nor started contract negotiations with his agent, David Mulugheta, since he demanded a trade on Friday. He also went on to say that he’s uncertain if Parsons will play in the Cowboys’ season opener against the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 4, which also serves as the opener to the 2025 NFL regular season.
“No, absolutely not,” Jones said. “A big part of that is his decision. How would I know that? I’m just saying, but I’m urgent.”
Jones and a disgruntled Parsons traded jabs over the weekend. Frustrated with the lack of progress on a contract extension, Parsons demanded a trade in a long post on X on Friday.
[Related: What Would Trading for Cowboys Star Micah Parsons Cost and Who Might Pay It?]
The next day, Jones mentioned he wouldn’t commerce Parsons and dismissed any issues concerning the standoff, telling followers to not lose any sleep over it.
The Cowboys and Parsons stay at a contract deadlock on a contract extension that can doubtless make the Penn State product the highest-paid non-quarterback within the NFL. Parsons, 26, is within the last yr of his rookie contract that can pay him $24 million.
Parsons as soon as once more didn’t apply on Tuesday, persevering with his “hold-in.” He watched Tuesday’s apply together with his white No. 11 jersey on and sweats from the sideline. He spent a part of apply talking with former Rams offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth, who has served as a mentor.
Jones reiterated that he believes the Cowboys and Parsons got here to a handshake settlement on contract phrases in a dialogue between the 2 earlier this yr with out Parsons’ agent current — one thing the 26-year-old go rusher vehemently disagrees with.
“There’s no query that within the case of a participant contract, you need to have it in writing,” Jones mentioned. “All events do. Now we have a contract in writing, but we’re nonetheless speaking about renegotiating it.”
Requested what the sticking level is between the 2 sides, Jones had this to say: “There’s factors of various levels and influences in not having one thing completed, however nothing I might say is out of the peculiar.”
Whereas the joint apply between the Cowboys and the Rams supplied a much-needed distraction from the continuing contract stalemate, Jones nonetheless sees a participant in Parsons he needs to maintain within the fold.
“I believe the world of Micah,” Jones mentioned. “Like I’ve mentioned, I’ve had plenty of social time with Micah — which isn’t at all times the case — however I’ve. He’s one of many brightest folks I’ve ever been round. He’s very, very proficient. And the way we finally internet him in with a future is a problem.
“However I’m constructed for it, and he’s constructed for it.”
Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for greater than a decade, overlaying the Los Angeles Rams for Sports activities Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma Information Tribune. Observe him on X at @eric_d_williams.
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