NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
It’s time for Micah Parsons to bet on himself. The star DE and the Dallas Cowboys are at a serious crossroads. Parsons has requested a trade from the only team he knows, and the Cowboys are acting as if his voice doesn’t matter. That’s a major problem for both parties.
Parsons has always stated that he wants to remain a member of the Cowboys. Well, that was true up until the last two weeks, when he said in a lengthy statement that he’s had enough. While players have gone this route before, this one with Parsons does seem a bit different from that of Terry McLaurin or even Myles Garrett and their trade requests.
McLaurin wants a new deal and has requested a trade from the Washington Commanders. For most, it appears to be a negotiation tactic rather than anything. He’s one of the main cogs for a team expected to challenge for a Super Bowl this season. He wants to be paid like a top receiver.
The Garrett situation was weird. The Cleveland Browns’ consistent losing appeared to take a toll on the defensive player. Everyone understood his position when he released his statement that he wanted to play for a contender. Garrett just wanted to win. Well, we were proven wrong. The Browns threw money his way, and Garrett signed a new contract.
According to Jones, this is part of negotiations. Well, from the outside looking in, it appears to be a dirty side of business and one that the Dallas Cowboys are accustomed to. However, there will come a time when one of these players will have to take a stand. And right now, the ball is in Parsons’ court.
If you’re a Cowboys fan, you have to hate this. But there is also no way you can sit and ignore that changes must be made regarding contact situations. Parsons feels disrespected way more than McLaurin, Garrett, and even Trey Hendrickson felt about their respective teams.
Jerry and Stephen have ridiculed Parsons on a national stage a few times, and according to their actions now and in the past, they believe that money will solve it all. Parsons never wanted to be the highest-paid player, but he wanted to be paid like the star he is. The Cowboys have taken that lightly the same way they did with Prescott and CeeDee Lamb the last two offseasons.
It shouldn’t be that way. Parsons has to stand up for himself and other players who have wilted under the pressure, and those watching from a distance. He has to let the Cowboys know that he is a man with morals. You just can’t down-talk me to the media, then throw money my way and act as if the bridge is not burned because you are rich.
There are pivotal moments that players talk about when they discuss players’ rights being taken seriously. For owners, it’s about the bottom line. Money talks. It always has. But what happens when the players start ignoring the huge dollar signs and stand on business? What’s scary about the situation in Dallas is that Jones is not going to trade Parsons. It’s hard to sit and imagine him at home for an entire season while healthy, watching his teammates go to war without him. This is what Jerry is banking on.
Players, beyond the Cowboys, are looking to see what happens. Is Parsons serious, or will he end up like Garrett? Many figured Myles was serious when he said he wanted out, but money talks. With Dallas, it’s a bit more personal. It’s been too many jabs thrown through the media. Like, how could you even play for someone like that? If he does resign, what does that say about Parsons, and at that point, how should other NFL players look at their front office? Is it okay to throw employees under the bus?
We all know Jerry is going to cave and pay the man; he has no choice. But how much money is enough money for Micah Parsons to throw all this under the bridge as if it never happened? How much money is enough money for present and future Dallas Cowboys players with contracts ending for them to stay? What about free agents who were thinking about coming to Dallas?
But all we keep hearing is this is how they do business. Let’s be honest here, that is not a good tactic. Jerry is The Wall, and Parsons is Jon Snow. Sometimes, to show how valuable you are as a leader, you have to go beyond the Wall (team) to prove to everyone who you are and what you were meant to be.
