Cowboys Face Contract Standoff With Micah Parsons Amid Injury, Negotiation Deadlock

The contract dispute between Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons and owner Jerry Jones continues to escalate, with Parsons sidelined due to a reported back injury that Jones and head coach Brian Schottenheimer believe is being used as a negotiation tactic. Jones has publicly criticized Parsons, claiming that Parsons cut off communication and comparing him to a spoiled child, while Parsons reportedly seeks a trade amid stalled talks. Despite the tension, Schottenheimer remains optimistic about Parsons' participation in the season opener. Parsons is demanding a historic contract extension worth at least $40 million per year, positioning himself as the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, a demand Jones is reluctant to meet, contrasting with prior contracts given to Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. Teammates like CeeDee Lamb have voiced support for Parsons, urging the team to resolve the impasse fairly. The ongoing standoff highlights a clash between Jones' negotiation approach and Parsons' agent, with no clear resolution yet as the regular season approaches.