ONXARD, Calif. – Four days after Cowboys All-Pro defensive end Micah Parsons requested a trade, Parsons remains a Cowboys and is still taking the field in Oxnard with his teammates wearing his number 11 jersey.
Cowboys owner and GM Jerry Jones made it clear on Saturday that he had no interest in trading Parsons, and that the move was just part of the negotiation process.
Following the team’s joint practice on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Rams, Jones said that he hasn’t spoken to Parsons since he made the request, and team negotiators haven’t reach out to Parsons’ representation either. So, at what point does Jones sense a need to get the deal done?
“I stay urgent.” Jones said when asked when the negotiation becomes urgent.
With things currently standing at a stalemate between the two sides, Parsons’ status for Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles is in question. In Jones’ eyes at this point in time, he’s not assured that Parsons will be on the field.
“No, absolutely not,” Jones said when asked if he’s confident Parsons will play Week 1. “A big part of that is his decision. How would I know that? No, but I’m urgent…”
“We will work through it or we won’t work through it.”
For the time being, Parsons will continue to stay in Oxnard and be present during team practices and meetings while the negotiations, or lack thereof, continue. Jones noticed Parsons’ presence on Tuesday, but was more focused on the team’s joint practice as a whole.
“I did notice him, but there’s 200 players out here. A lot of good ones,” Jones said. “So that’s really what you’re dealing with, I want all of our fans to know that when you walk out here, in this case, there were 200 football players out here, so you’re not just having someone just snap out at you in terms of what you’re paying attention to.”
While things between the Cowboys and Parsons are tense at the moment, Jones has stayed steadfast in his praise for Parsons and is up to the challenge that is making sure he stays in Dallas.
“I think the world of Micah,” Jones said. “Like I’ve said, I’ve had social time with Micah, which isn’t always the case, but I have. He’s one of the brightest people I’ve ever been around, and he’s very, very talented. Now, how we ultimately [mix] him in with our future is a challenge, and I’m built for it, he’s built for it.”
Parsons is certainly the most prominent player awaiting an extension in Dallas, but Jones hinted at the fact that the Cowboys are still putting in work to other extension in Oxnard as well. The likes of DaRon Bland, Tyler Smith and Brandon Aubrey are entering times to where they can earn extensions, and the team has already inked Jake Ferguson to a new four-year deal. They may not be done yet.
“We have continual contract negotiations going on,” Jones said. “I know you have Micah at front of mind, but we’re continually working on contracts and all clubs are. So I don’t necessarily put a big red letter beside any time that we’ve completed contract negotiations, but I’m appreciative when we do.”
“It’s really business as usual.”
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