Jerry Jones continues to be confident a deal will get done to keep Parsons in a Cowboys uniform long-term, but the former All-Pro pass-rusher isn’t budging to this point — and the bad blood between the two sides raises questions about how likely an extension is as the season approaches.

Parsons became extension-eligible after the 2023 season, but 2024 came and went without a new deal, as did the bulk of the 2025 offseason. Parsons can play for the 2025 season on his fifth-year option, but he has made it clear he prefers a trade over another season in Dallas without long-term security.

MORE: Full timeline of Micah Parsons’ contract dispute with Cowboys

Micah Parsons trade rumors

Cowboys listening to trade offers for Parsons, want resolution in next few days

• Date: August 28
• Source: Adam Schefter

Schefter reports that “several” teams have spoken to the Cowboys about a potential deal, and for the first time it sounds like they are listening. The other important piece of Schefter’s reporting is that with the Cowboys opening against the Eagles in a week (from the time of the report), Dallas wants a resolution one way or the other in the coming days.

Parsons previously filed grievance about 2025 salary

• Date: August 27
• Source: Mike Florio

While Parsons’ current issue with the Cowboys stems from his desires for a lucrative extension, that reportedly isn’t the only financial sticking point between he and the team lately. Per Florio, Parsons filed a grievance regarding his 2025 salary earlier this year that involves a discrepancy with the details of his fifth-year option, which he is playing on in 2025.

Dallas has Parsons’ salary as $21.324 million, a number that stems from the team listing him as a defensive end. However, Parsons believes his salary should be $24 million, considering himself a linebacker. The NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement says that a player’s fifth-year option will be calculated based on the position “at which the [player] participated in the most plays during his third League Year.” The Cowboys have Parsons listed at the cheaper position of his two, defensive end, despite him earning plenty of official accolades as a linebacker.

So, that means that in order to settle the grievance, there will have to be a review of whether Parsons played linebacker or defensive end more in his third NFL season, which could be fairly complicated. The star’s versatility has been a significant positive throughout his career, but now it’s a reason that he has to seek an additional $2.676 million from Dallas.

The fifth-year salary grievance is yet another point of contention between Parsons and the Cowboys.

Packers GM Gutenkurst speaks on Parsons rumors

• Date: August 27
• Source: Rob Demovsky

Parsons has been linked with Green Bay in recent days. Packers general manager Brian Gutenkurst was asked about the rumors while speaking with reporters during his mid-week availability. He said he wouldn’t speak on players from other teams. But he did vow to look at “every opportunity that’s out there and we think can help the Packers.”

Micah Parsons connected to Packers in rumors

• Date: August 26
• Source: Various rumors

While it’s important to note that no top NFL insiders have yet reported any traction being made on a Parsons trade, there have been a few rumors connecting the star pass rusher to the Packers on Tuesday night.

One X account with over 50,000 followers, @RickyScoops, shared that the Packers have a “trade on the table” for Parsons with a new contract, but it’s unknown how reliable that source should be considered. That wasn’t the end of the buzz though, as some fans speculated that a tweet from star media personality Kay Adams, which only read “you guys,” was about a potential incoming Parsons deal.

Additionally, some fans have read into Parsons’ following on social media, including him following Packers LT Rasheed Walker and DT Rashan Gary on Instagram. And finally, the last interesting tidbit came from a former Packer, John Kuhn, who played fullback for the team from 2007-15.

Kuhn, who is now an analyst for the Packers TV Network, posted on X simply: “Micah Freaking Parsons.”

None of those rumors should be yet taken as true indications that Parsons will be traded at all, but they are certainly signs that buzz is picking up around the star as Week 1 inches closer. Should one of the NFL’s leading insiders provide more clarity on any Parsons-Packers connections, there would be more reason to trust the rumors.

Brian Schottenheimer remains confident in Parsons’ Week 1 status

• Date: August 26
• Source: The Athletic

New Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer remains confident that Parsons will be playing in the team’s season opener against Philadelphia on Sept. 4. When asked if Parsons would practice ahead of that game, the head coach said “it’s different for everybody.”

“The fact that he’s been here gives him a little bit of a leg up on the fact that he knows the defense. That could be a completely different story if he wasn’t here,” Schottenheimer said, per The Athletic. “At the end of the day, we want him out there as soon as possible. When he’s feeling up to it and all those things is a big factor into it.”

“Every day that he can get out there and get reps would be great, but I do think very strongly that him being around, doing the walk-throughs, does help. There’s communication, there’s signals that come from the sideline, there’s communication from player to player. He’s getting all those things.”

Schottenheimer added that he and Parsons recently had a long conversation, choosing to keep the details private but noting that Parsons did not assure him he’d be returning to practice. The pass rusher is considered medically cleared to practice. Additionally, if and when Parsons is back playing for the team, he’d likely be on a “ramp-up plan,” rather than being out for every play.

Parsons’ back MRI came back ‘pretty clean’, according to Cowboys HC Schottenheimer

• Date: August 23
• Source: Bleacher Report

Parsons has dealt with a minor back injury in recent weeks. Trevon Diggs told reporters Parsons underwent an MRI on Friday. Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer told reporters that Parsons’ scan came back fairly clean. His absence from Friday’s match seemed to have more to do with an ongoing stalemate between him and Dallas’ front office over a new contract.

Parsons goes viral for training table antics in Cowboys’ final preseason game

• Date: August 22
• Source: Jon Machota

When a player is subjected to trade rumors, every action of theirs is scrutinized. Parsons is no exception. If looks could kill, the image of Parsons lying in repose on a training table — seemingly overcome with disinterest — would be a fatal one. Then again, how interested can one be in the final week of preseason?

I don’t think Micah Parsons (on trainer’s table) wants to be here pic.twitter.com/EjHdTMymSa

https://twitter.com/jonmachota/status/1959073400543985819?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1959073400543985819%7Ctwgr%5Ee769f380ad7d47a4ea3b251cacb1f2a5ef3aa074%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportingnews.com%2Fuk%2Fnfl%2Fdallas-cowboys%2Fnews%2Fmicah-parsons-trade-rumors-latest-reports-cowboys%2Fe5bc7cd30667221591234c80

Falcons fan calls on Parsons to join Atlanta, Parsons responds with humorous phone gesture

• Date: August 22
• Source: Todd Archer

Parsons arrived at AT&T Stadium for the Cowboys’ final preseason game, a matchup with the Falcons. He was greeted by an Atlanta fan on tour who pleaded with Parsons to join the Falcons. Parsons responded with a phone gesture that is sure to go over well with Atlanta supporters.

Micah Parsons has arrived at AT&T Stadium. As he walks to the locker room a Falcons fan on a tour said, “Come to the Falcons,” leading to Parsons making the phone gesture. The nachos looked good. pic.twitter.com/DVXG814MLo

https://twitter.com/toddarcher/status/1959006930803773906?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1959006930803773906%7Ctwgr%5Ee769f380ad7d47a4ea3b251cacb1f2a5ef3aa074%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportingnews.com%2Fuk%2Fnfl%2Fdallas-cowboys%2Fnews%2Fmicah-parsons-trade-rumors-latest-reports-cowboys%2Fe5bc7cd30667221591234c80

Parsons posts cryptic message, wipes Cowboys from X, IG accounts

• Date: August 21
• Source: Micah Parsons’ X account, Micah Parsons Instagram

Parsons posted a cryptic message to his X account. As he did, fans and analysts were quick to notice that he changed his profile picture and had removed all mentions of the Cowboys from his bio.

✌️ pic.twitter.com/VPTvcjeEUm

https://twitter.com/MicahhParsons11/status/1958692329096618228?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1958692329096618228%7Ctwgr%5Ee769f380ad7d47a4ea3b251cacb1f2a5ef3aa074%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportingnews.com%2Fuk%2Fnfl%2Fdallas-cowboys%2Fnews%2Fmicah-parsons-trade-rumors-latest-reports-cowboys%2Fe5bc7cd30667221591234c80

Parsons also removed the Cowboys from his Instagram bio. Now, like his X account bio, it just says TBD where it used to say “Cowboys.”

Same on Instagram pic.twitter.com/PZnsu6jyxh

https://twitter.com/jonmachota/status/1958696380202893344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1958696380202893344%7Ctwgr%5Ee769f380ad7d47a4ea3b251cacb1f2a5ef3aa074%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportingnews.com%2Fuk%2Fnfl%2Fdallas-cowboys%2Fnews%2Fmicah-parsons-trade-rumors-latest-reports-cowboys%2Fe5bc7cd30667221591234c80

Cowboys unwilling to speak to Parsons’ agent, says The Athletic’s Diana Russini

• Date: Aug. 20
• Source: Diana Russini

Parsons appears willing to enter negotiations with Dallas. However, the Cowboys’ brass is unwilling to talk to Parsons’ agent, per Russini. At present, it’s unclear how Parsons would negotiate a new deal with his longtime employers if the team avoids speaking with his agent.

Brian Schottenheimer says he feels good about Parsons’ status for Week 1

• Date: Aug. 20
• Source: Todd Archer

Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said Wednesday that he feels good “that Micah will be out there against the Philadelphia Eagles” on Sept. 4 for the team’s season-opener.

There have been no further indications that progress has been made in contract talks between Parsons and the Cowboys, but the first-year head coach indicated his confidence in Parsons still playing in Week 1.

Micah Parsons and Cowboys continue tracking toward ‘a divorce’

• Date: Aug. 19
• Source: Adam Schefter

On his “The Pat McAfee Show” appearance Tuesday, Schefter said that things could always change, but at the time, “it feels more likely that Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys are heading towards a divorce” than fixing the situation together.

Schefter noted that Jerry Jones “thought he had the framework of a deal done with Micah but Micah didn’t feel that way,” and the Cowboys still aren’t even talking to Parsons about a new deal.

Adam Schefter predicts Parsons will not finish NFL career in Dallas

• Date: Aug. 19
• Source: Adam Schefter

ESPN insider Adam Schefter said on ESPN Radio that there remains a stalemate between Parsons and the Cowboys in terms of even talking about a contract, and he predicted that the pass rusher will not finish his career in Dallas one way or another. Schefter also predicted that if Parsons does play in Dallas this year, it could be his last season there.

Parsons situation ‘remains unsolved,’ negotiations have not improved

• Date: Aug. 13
• Source: ESPN

Despite weeks passing since Parsons’ trade request, ESPN reports that Parsons continues to watch practices from the sidelines with nothing having changed in negotiations between him and the Cowboys. Dallas and Parsons reportedly still “have yet to discuss a deal.”

When asked why the two sides aren’t yet talking, Jerry Jones said there is “nothing” preventing it.

“We might, or we might not talk. And the rest of that gets into what we do every day,” Jones said, per ESPN.

Jerry Jones is not confident that Parsons will be available for the season opener

• Date: Aug. 5
• Source: Jerry Jones

The Cowboys are playing in the first game of the 2025 NFL season, and Jones is not confident that Parsons will be available.

“No, absolutely not,” Jones told reporters when asked if he was confident about Parsons’ Week 1 availability. “A big part of that is his decision. How would I know that?”

Jerry Jones confirms Cowboys haven’t spoken to Parsons since trade

• Date: Aug. 5
• Source: Jerry Jones

On Tuesday, Jones discussed the prospect of a potential Parsons trade with reporters. Dallas’ longtime owner confirmed that neither he nor members of his front office have spoken with Parsons or his agent since he requested his trade.

Jerry Jones pours cold water on Parsons trade talk

• Date: Aug. 2
• Source: Jerry Jones

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones shrugged off Parsons’ trade request on Saturday, telling reports that the development was just a regular part of contract negotiations.

“Don’t lose any sleep over it,” Jones said. “That’s the one thing I would say to our fans, ‘Don’t lose any sleep over it.'”

The Cowboys have a history of taking major contract talks right up to the start of the season, though Parsons has gone a step further than recent Dallas stars who negotiated new deals by publicly saying he wants out.

Executives don’t expect Cowboys to trade Parsons

• Date: Aug. 1
• Source: Jeremy Fowler and Todd Archer, ESPN

While executives are shocked that the Cowboys continue to take the same approach with their stars, they don’t necessarily believe the Parsons saga will culminate in a trade, ESPN reports.

“A separate NFC exec said he does not believe the Cowboys will trade Parsons,” ESPN reports, noting that a deal would be difficult to execute due to the draft capital and mega contract required to get it done.

Teams planning to check in on Parsons’ availability

• Date: Aug. 1
• Source: Dianna Russini, The Athletic

While the Cowboys don’t plan to fulfill Parsons’ trade request, teams are planning to check in on his availability, according to Dianna Russini. Acquiring Parsons would likely require a massive haul even if Dallas was ready to make a deal, but prying him away from the organization that drafted him is likely to be difficult unless the relationship between the two sides breaks down even further.

MORE: Examining potential Micah Parsons trade packages

Will Cowboys trade Micah Parsons?

The Cowboys continue to insist they will get a deal done with Parsons. While Dallas didn’t immediately comment on Parsons’ trade request, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported the team had no plans to trade the 26-year-old, and Jones told reporters the request “is just a part of negotiation.”

“Don’t lose any sleep over it,” Jones said. “That’s the one thing I would say to our fans, ‘Don’t lose any sleep over it.'”

Still, teams quickly checked in on Parsons’ availability, according to Russini. Until a new contract gets done, the bridges evidently burned between the Cowboys and Parsons at least keep the possibility of a trade on the table.

It’s worth noting, however, that the Cowboys have taken contract negotiations down to the wire before. Ezekiel Elliott held out for his new deal in 2019 until the week of Dallas’ season opener, while CeeDee Lamb’s holdout in 2024 lasted until the last week of August. The Cowboys are quite comfortable waiting deep into training camp to get mega deals done, though neither Elliott nor Lamb ever requested a trade.

Micah Parsons landing spots

Chargers

The Chargers are looking to stand out in a division loaded with major names and high-profile quarterbacks. They also have the third-most projected cap space entering the 2026 offseason. Why not make a splash and add a player who can make Patrick Mahomes’ life more difficult?

L.A. has plenty to offer Parsons, between location, chances of contending, playing for Jim Harbaugh and plenty of money available long-term. The Chargers also have a need at the position with Khalil Mack taking his career year-to-year at this point and Tuli Tuipulotu perhaps the only starting-caliber option still standing if Mack retired or left after 2025.

Seahawks

The Seahawks got by fine with Uchenna Nwosu, Derick Hall and Leonard Williams all getting to the quarterback in 2024, and they added Parsons’ former teammate Demarcus Lawrence this past offseason to help defend against the run. None of those players can disrupt the way Parsons can disrupt. Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald is a defensive-minded leader, and there’s no doubt he would be thrilled to have a defensive anchor like Parsons for years to come.

Seattle has the sixth-most cap space available this coming season and 10th-most projected cap space available entering the 2026 offseason, so fitting in a new deal for Parsons is realistic.

MORE: Complete Madden 26 ratings tracker

Bears

The Bears might have to move some things around financially to make a Parsons deal work, but they are another team that hopes to contend despite pass-rushing questions. Montez Sweat was heavily disappointing in 2024 after a stellar finish to 2023. He’s looking to bounce back under new DC Dennis Allen, while new addition Dayo Odeyingbo is hoping to take advantage of a featured role next to Sweat, but Parsons is on a completely different level than both players and would signal that the Bears will stop at nothing to compete in a loaded NFC North.

Colts

The Colts have gotten a combined 16.5 sacks out of Kwity Paye over the last two seasons and have second-year edge rusher Laiatu Latu set for a large role this season, but the pass-rush has been lacking in Indianapolis for a number of years — and neither of those pieces rival the kind of impact Parsons can make.

It’s unlikely the Colts go very far until they get their passing game in order, whether that’s with Anthony Richardson or someone else under center, and that could make the idea of trading a premier draft pick for Parsons a major risk. Would it be safer for the Colts to hold onto their top 2026 pick in case they need to draft a quarterback? Possibly.

Chris Ballard knows, however, that he might not be in a position to make that pick if Indianapolis’ season goes off the rails, particularly after the death of the loyal Jim Irsay. Adding Parsons to the defense would give the Colts a chance to keep up with Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter in Houston or Josh Hines-Allen in Jacksonville.

Micah Parsons contract projection

Reports all along have indicated Parsons is aiming to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. After a recent three-year, $123 million extension for Steelers star T.J. Watt, that means his new deal would have to exceed $41 million per year.

Over four years, a hypothetical $42 million annual salary would come out to a four-year, $168 million deal. $42 million annually over five years would amount to $210 million, which would exceed Nick Bosa’s defensive record of $170 million on the five-year deal he signed in 2023.

Guaranteed money could also be a sticking point for the Cowboys. Garrett’s deal is 77 percent guaranteed, while Watt’s deal is 88 percent guaranteed but spans one fewer year.

Parsons said after Garrett’s deal that a $40 million annual salary was what he was looking for. “I think if I had $40 million, I’d be the happiest man alive,” Parsons said in March, months before Watt signed his new deal and raised the ceiling for defensive players.