The war of words between Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Micah Parsons hasn’t cooled, even more than two months after the blockbuster trade that sent the star pass-rusher to the Green Bay Packers.
Jones has continued to defend his decision to trade Parsons, which netted the Cowboys a significant return — first-round picks in 2026 and 2027, along with three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark. Still, the deal has backfired on the field, as Dallas’ defense has plummeted among the league’s worst, allowing 404.6 yards and 31.3 points per game.
Tension between Parsons and the organization had been brewing long before the trade. Contract negotiations grew increasingly heated during the preseason, highlighted by a viral moment when Parsons was seen lying on a training table behind the bench during the Cowboys’ preseason finale against the Atlanta Falcons. It was a scene that became symbolic of the deteriorating relationship between player and team.
Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones Lays Out ‘Problem’ With Micah Parsons
Jones brought up that moment in an interview with Stephen A. Smith on SiriusXM, when asked about the traits he looks for in players, relating it to former franchise greats like Michael Irvin and DeMarcus Ware.
“Not one time, not even in the hottest of days and two-a-days in August in Texas, between eleven in the morning or when they quit practicing or four in the afternoon, did I never see any one of these two go over and lay on a damn training table in front of a million people,” Jones said during the interview, with both Ware and Irvin present. “Never. It’s not in their makeup. … It’s just not in their makeup.
“And you’d like to think if you’re going to be [paying] the highest that’s ever been paid for something in football, you could get that. And when you don’t have it and you pay the highest that’s ever been in football, you really got a problem.”
Jones was also critical of Parsons’ ability as a leader in the locker room.
“This is not fair, Micah is not here. I really think a lot of Micah Parsons. And there wasn’t a question of wanting him on the team,” Jones said. “But to anoint him in terms of (being captain of the defense), and everybody else looking at him, you better (do) some thinking.”
Ex-Cowboys Star Micah Parsons Favorite for Defensive Player of the Year
After the trade, Parsons inked a five-year, $210 million contract with the Packers, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. Parsons has continued to prove his worth with the Packers and is the frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year.
He’s never won the award but has been in the mix in all four of his NFL seasons. Parsons has logged 14 quarterback hits, seven tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks this season with the Packers. His impact is often felt beyond the box score, with teams having to game plan to keep him from being a game-wrecker.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys are looking to stay alive in the playoff race but are reeling after a 44-24 loss to the Denver Broncos. It’s uncertain if even Parsons could help the defense in Dallas.
“I mean, I don’t … I don’t really know,” Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer told ESPN. “Micah’s a great player. We’ve got other great players. But it takes 11 on defense. That is the thing that, again, nine, 10 guys on a football team, offense, defense, special teams, if one of those is a little off with their assignment, a little off with their alignment, then plays happen.
“And so I think it’s more about the guys that are here, continuing to impress on them the importance of doing their job and doing it correctly and with the right fundamentals and technique. That’s really what we’re focused on.”
The Cowboys are seeking a better defensive effort in prime time on Monday against the Arizona Cardinals.
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