Micah Parsons Says Cowboys Told Him to Play on Contract or Leave Before Packers Trade

According to Micah Parsons, the Dallas Cowboys essentially told him "our way or the highway" before trading him to the Green Bay Packers.

The Cowboys announced Thursday they traded the star pass-rusher to Green Bay for first-round picks in 2026 and 2027, as well as defensive tackle Kenny Clark.

Parsons told Jane Slater of NFL Network he and his team approached Dallas with "empathy" to talk about a contract extension after trade rumors were leaked, only to be told "play on the fifth year or leave."

The 2025 season was set to be the Penn State product's final year on his deal, but that is no longer the case.

Dallas may not have wanted to pay him, but Green Bay agreed to a four-year, $188 million contract that features $136 million in guarantees, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The contract makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history at $47 million per year.

That Parsons was so open about what the Cowboys apparently told him comes as no surprise, as the back-and-forth between him and the team defined the situation this summer.

First, team owner Jerry Jones expressed concerns about paying Parsons because of injury risk, which drew a frustrated response from the four-time Pro Bowler when he said, "I'm doing this for myself and my teammates. This isn't for Jerry."

He requested a trade a little more than a week later:

"Unfortunately I no longer want to be here," he wrote, in part. "I no longer want to be held to close door negotiations without my agent present. I no longer want shots taken at me for getting injured while laying it on the line for the organization our fans and my teammates. I no longer want narratives created and spread to the media about me."

Jones responded by telling reporters the trade request was just part of a negotiation, adding "what y'all don't know is what I offered him. And it's a hell of a lot more than you think I did. That's what you don't know."

By the time Jones appeared on Michael Irvin's YouTube show to say Parsons' agent told him to "stick it up our ass" when offered a deal, it was crystal clear the two sides weren't seeing eye-to-eye.

Still, it is stunning to see it get to the point that the Cowboys traded him to a fellow NFC team.

They may very well regret it if Parsons continues to dominate in Green Bay.