Micah Parsons, the star linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys, remains entrenched in a contract holdout as negotiations with team owner Jerry Jones drag on into 2025. At the heart of the dispute is Parsons’ unwavering demand that his contract negotiations involve his agent, David Mulugheta. This Micah Parsons contract negotiation agent has become a critical figure, shaping the dynamics between the player and the Cowboys organization.
Parsons, entering the final year of his rookie deal, insists on extending his contract with the insistence that no deal will be agreed upon without Mulugheta’s direct participation. This standoff has captivated fans and analysts alike, highlighting the tension between one of the NFL’s fastest rising stars and a team owner known for his tough bargaining style.
David Mulugheta: The Trusted Agent Behind Parsons’ Negotiation
David Mulugheta has earned a formidable reputation as one of the NFL’s top agents, representing high-profile clients including Parsons and cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Mulugheta holds the presidency at Athletes First, a leading sports agency known for securing record-breaking contracts, such as Ramsey’s $84.7 million deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Parsons openly praises his agent’s role in his career and contract talks. He once remarked:
“There is no one I trust more when it comes to negotiating contracts than David! There will be no backdoors in this contract.”
—Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys Linebacker
This loyalty stems from Mulugheta’s landmark achievements, including breaking the $1 billion mark in NFL contract negotiations in a single year in 2024, a historic feat that solidified his status in the sports business. Such accomplishments have attracted other top NFL players like Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson and Cardinals safety Budda Baker to seek his expertise.
The Clash Between Jerry Jones and David Mulugheta
The friction over Parsons’ contract has been exacerbated by a public disagreement between Jerry Jones and Mulugheta. In April 2025, Jones publicly expressed disdain for the agent, stating:
“The agent is not a concern here… I don’t know his name.”
—Jerry Jones, Dallas Cowboys Owner
This comment triggered a strong response from Parsons, who immediately defended Mulugheta’s role:
“David is the best, and I will not be doing any deal without @DavidMulugheta involved! Like anyone with good sense, I hired experts for a reason.”
—Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys Linebacker
These words underscore the player’s trust in his agent’s guidance amid tense negotiations. The situation escalated as Jones criticized Parsons’ health and reliability during the 2024 season, pointing to the linebacker’s missed games. Jones said:
“Just because we sign him doesn’t mean we’re going to have him.”
“He missed six games last year. Seriously.”
—Jerry Jones, Dallas Cowboys Owner
Despite missing four games, Parsons still led the NFC with 12 sacks, ranking fifth across the entire league, a testament to his impact on the field even with limited appearances. This tension between health concerns and Parsons’ on-field performance adds complexity to the ongoing contract debate.
Insights from NFL Analysts on the Contract Deadlock
Veteran sports reporter Adam Schefter shed light on the complications delaying Parsons’ contract extension during a July 30 appearance on 105.3 The Fan. Schefter suggested the deal’s hold-up was largely due to Mulugheta’s involvement, which may have introduced new demands or tactics from Parsons’ side. According to an X post from analyst RJ Ochoa:
“Adam Schefter on [105.3 The Fan] on the state of things between Jerry Jones, Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys insinuated that the Cowboys may have felt like a deal was going to get done, but Micah got his agent involved and that could be the overall issue.”
—RJ Ochoa, Sports Analyst
Furthermore, Schefter described how the negotiation process has deteriorated, suggesting that communication between Parsons and Jones has nearly halted:
“I don’t think they’re speaking very much these days, if at all. This negotiation, when it was a negotiation, has gone sideways. It’s not a negotiation right now. There’s really no conversation about getting a deal done.”
—Adam Schefter, NFL Insider
This breakdown highlights the broader uncertainty surrounding Parsons’ future with the Cowboys. Fans have grown restless as the team‘s offer to another player, tight end Jake Ferguson, a four-year, $52 million contract, contrasts with the continued standstill on Parsons’ status.
Why the Standing Contract Dispute Matters
The resolution of this highly publicized standoff holds significant implications for the Dallas Cowboys and the NFL at large. Parsons is widely regarded as one of the most talented defenders in the league, and his contract status will likely influence the franchise’s defensive strategy and salary cap allocations for years to come.
This contract saga also reflects a growing trend in the league where star players lean heavily on top-tier agents to protect their interests and maximize earnings. It demonstrates the power agents like Mulugheta wield in high-stakes negotiations, sometimes clashing with traditional team owners like Jerry Jones.
As negotiations stall, the pressure mounts not only on Parsons and Jones but on the wider NFL community to address how player contracts are managed in an era of increasing player empowerment. The outcome will be closely watched, as it could set precedents for future negotiations involving elite athletes and their chosen representatives.
Looking Ahead: What to Expect Next in Parsons’ Contract Talks
With both parties yet to make public progress, the next steps in Parsons’ contract saga remain uncertain. The linebacker’s clear stance—that no contract will be signed without Mulugheta’s involvement—signals that any agreement must accommodate the agent’s participation.
The Cowboys organization faces a delicate balancing act: negotiating terms that satisfy Parsons’ market value while managing concerns about injury risks and team budget. Meanwhile, Mulugheta’s recent recognition by Forbes as the top NFL agent reinforces his influence and suggests he will continue advocating fiercely for Parsons.
Given the stakes, fans and observers can anticipate further updates as both sides navigate this intense period of negotiation, with the NFL offseason calendar adding urgency to resolving the dispute before the new season begins.