Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones publicly claimed that he offered linebacker Micah Parsons a contract that would have made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history in terms of guaranteed money, but the deal stalled due to agent disagreements, leading to a public dispute and potential implications for the team’s future.
Jerry Jones, the owner and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys, and Micah Parsons, a star linebacker for the team, are the central figures in this news, along with David Mulugheta, Parsons’ agent, who Jones blamed for the negotiation breakdown.
The key event is Jones’ assertion during an interview on Michael Irvin’s YouTube channel that he had verbally agreed with Parsons on a contract offering unprecedented guaranteed money for a non-quarterback, but the agent rejected it, causing the deal to fall through and sparking public criticism.
This statement was made on August 21, 2025, and reported across various news outlets the same day and early August 22, placing it within the last 24 hours from the current time.
The interview took place on Michael Irvin’s YouTube channel, with the Cowboys based in Frisco, Texas, but the news has national relevance due to the NFL’s widespread audience.
The dispute stems from ongoing contract negotiations, with Parsons previously expressing dissatisfaction and making a trade request, citing a lack of agent involvement in talks, while Jones aims to secure Parsons long-term but faces resistance from the agent.
Jones detailed how he and Parsons agreed on terms, but when they attempted to formalize the deal with Mulugheta, the agent allegedly told them to ‘stick it up our ass,’ leading Jones to plan for Parsons to play on his fifth-year option and consider franchise tags, mirroring the approach used with quarterback Dak Prescott.
The impact includes potential strain on team dynamics, possible effects on Parsons’ performance or willingness to play, and repercussions for the Cowboys’ defense and season outlook, as well as highlighting common issues in NFL contract negotiations.
Looking ahead, Jones indicated that Parsons has three years remaining under team control, with options like franchise tags available, and the situation may evolve through further negotiations, a trade, or Parsons playing out his contract, with the season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles on September 4 being a key milestone.