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Cowboys' handling of Micah Parsons offers a contrast in how NFC East rivals operate
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- Cowboys' handling of Micah Parsons offers a contrast in how NFC East rivals operate
The NFL offers potential for hypotheticals and what-ifs daily, and the latest example is the handling of Micah Parsons ' contract status in Dallas . Parsons has been one of the best linebackers in the NFL since being selected by the Dallas Cowboys two spots behind DeVonta Smith (Eagles) in the 2021 NFL draft.
Since departing Penn State, Parsons, who is in the final year of his rookie deal, has developed into a four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher and is annually among the NFL defensive player of the year favorites. Had Philadelphia selected Parsons in the 2021 NFL draft, Howie Roseman would have signed him to a five-year deal worth a maximum of $150 million with $87.5 million guaranteed, similar to what the New York Giants did for Brian Burns .
Jul 26, 2025; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Micah Parsons (11) at training camp at the River Ridge Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Smith, the Eagles ' first-round draft pick in 2021, and the Eagles quickly agreed to terms on a three-year, $75 million contract extension that keeps him in Philadelphia through the 2028 season.
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The team announced the deal and exercised Smith's fifth-year option for the 2025 season.
Howie Roseman was able to keep a building block happy, while Smith's first payout from the extension won't start until 2026. It'll be a bargain with nine wide receivers in the NFL making $30+ million per season, and Smith as the 13th highest paid player at his position according to Over The Cap .
Hypotheticals don't matter, and in this case, Micah Parsons is in Dallas and going through contentious contract negotiations, according to Diana Russini of The Athletic.
The relationship between Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys has deteriorated to the point where the star pass rusher is considering drastic measures, which could include a trade request or even a declaration that he is severing his relationship with the team, according to a league source familiar with the situation. The two sides remain far apart heading into the second week of training camp and are not currently negotiating.
Since 2019, Ezekiel Elliott , Zack Martin , and CeeDee Lamb all staged holdouts, while Dak Prescott didn't sign his most recent contract extension until hours before kickoff of the season opener last September.
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In Philadelphia, Jalen Hurts has been extended, Saquon Barkley signed a huge deal, and then signed another extension. At the same time, A.J. Brown has been extended twice since being traded to Philadelphia in 2022. Every starter on the Eagles ' offensive line, except Tyler Steen , is among the highest paid at their positions and blessed with extensions early on in the process.
Lane Johnson has signed two extensions in the past three years, while Jalen Carter will be extension eligible following this season, and he'll quickly become one of the highest-paid defensive tackles in the NFL without any ugly moments or media theatrics from the owner or general manager.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Micah Parsons could request a trade from the Dallas Cowboys
