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Cowboys’ Micah Parsons Contract Extension Talks Get Eye-Opening Update

The Dallas Cowboys have accomplished the majority of their major goals this offseason, but they still have one issue that needs to be resolved, and that’s Micah Parsons’ contract situation. With several of the other top pass rushers in the NFL receiving massive extensions over the past few months, Parsons has made it clear he wants a substantial raise, but to this point, no such deal has materialized.

While there is still time for the two sides to head back to the negotiating table, the 2025 campaign is right around the corner. So what gives? Will Dallas and Parsons be able to find common ground on a potential extension? According to NFL insider Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, it sounds like a timeline for Parsons’ contract negotiations has been set.

Dallas Cowboys' Micah Parsons Drilled By FOX's Colin Cowherd in Absurd  'Splash' Take - Athlon Sports

The Cowboys selected Parsons with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, and he immediately became one of the most disruptive defenders in the league. Parsons has been a Pro Bowler in each of his first four seasons, while also earning a spot on the All-Pro First Team twice and winning Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2021.

It wasn’t much of a surprise to see Dallas exercise the fifth-year option in Parsons’ rookie contract last offseason, setting the stage for some very important contract extension talks. No deal was reached last offseason, and now that he’s preparing to enter the final year of his rookie contract, it’s clear that there’s a sense of urgency for both sides to get something done.

July has rolled around now, and Parsons still hasn’t put pen to paper yet, with the messy negotiations spilling out into the public eye on several occasions, which has only made things worse. However, the Cowboys still want to keep Parsons in town, and it seems like he wants to remain in Dallas. With that in mind, Fowler believes that the two sides will head back to the negotiating table once training camp rolls around.

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“So this is kind of a relaxed situation,” Fowler said on SportsCenter. “You know, when I talk to the people involved, they’re like, look, it’s a lull in the summer right now, not a lot going on … Once they reconvene for training camp, Dallas will probably lock in on this a little bit more. Typically, they do their deals late in the calendar, you know, late August, early September. We’ve seen that with CeeDee Lamb, Dak Prescott, some of their other big deals.”

Cowboys Want to Keep Micah Parsons in Town for Long-Term Future

It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that the Cowboys are highly motivated to lock up Parsons on a long-term deal. He’s racked up 52.5 sacks over his first four seasons and has consistently been the most productive player on Dallas’ defense during that stretch. At only 26 years old, Parsons appears set to remain one of the players in the entire league.

It’s going to cost the Cowboys a pretty penny, but Parsons has already proved to be worth a massive contract, and the front office would be foolish to let this situation hover over them as the new season draws near. For now, all is quiet on the Parsons front, but it looks like training camp is when these negotiations could get serious.

Coach Mike Tomlin Remove 3 Players for Missing Practice
Pittsburgh, PA — September 18, 2025 — Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has made a bold disciplinary move, benching three key players—cornerback Joey Porter Jr., outside linebacker Alex Highsmith, and safety DeShon Elliott—for missing Wednesday’s practice as the team prepares for a critical Week 3 matchup against the New England Patriots. The decision comes as the Steelers, sitting at 1-1 after a 31-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, grapple with a rash of injuries and mounting pressure to stabilize their roster. The trio’s absence from practice on September 17 stemmed from injuries: Porter Jr. is nursing a hamstring issue, Highsmith is sidelined with a high ankle sprain, and Elliott is recovering from an MCL sprain. All three missed the Seahawks game, where Pittsburgh’s defense struggled, allowing 117 rushing yards to Kenneth Walker III, including a game-sealing touchdown. Tomlin, known for his no-nonsense approach, reportedly views their failure to attend practice, even if injury-related, as a breach of team standards during a pivotal week. “We’re in a tough spot, but accountability comes first,” Tomlin said in a press conference. “If you’re not on the field preparing with your teammates, you’re not playing. We need everyone locked in to turn this around.” The move underscores Tomlin’s emphasis on discipline as the Steelers face a Patriots team that racked up 122 rushing yards in their Week 2 win over Miami. Porter Jr., a rising star in the secondary, missed his second straight game in Week 2 due to his hamstring injury. Highsmith, a key pass rusher, suffered his ankle sprain in the first quarter against Seattle and has a history of soft tissue injuries, including a groin issue in 2024. Elliott’s MCL sprain, sustained during a tackle attempt, has kept him off the field, with a potential return targeted for Week 4. The decision to bench them has sparked debate, especially with the team already thin at key positions due to injuries to linebacker Patrick Queen (ribs) and rookie defensive tackle Derrick Harmon (knee), though both returned to practice this week. The Steelers have taken steps to bolster their roster, signing veteran linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley and safety Jabrill Peppers to the practice squad. Bentley, who rejected a $6 million offer from the Los Angeles Chargers, could see an elevated role if Queen remains limited. Fans on X are divided, with some praising Tomlin’s tough stance—“This is the Steeler way!”—while others worry it risks further depleting an injury-ravaged defense. As Pittsburgh aims to shore up its run defense and avoid a 1-2 start in the competitive AFC North, Tomlin’s disciplinary action sends a clear message: no player is above the team’s standards. Whether this gamble galvanizes the roster or exacerbates their struggles will be evident Sunday at Gillette Stadium.