The Dallas Cowboys are facing turmoil as star defensive end Micah Parsons officially requested a trade ahead of the 2025 season, following stalled contract negotiations. In the middle of this uncertainty, the team has made a significant roster move by signing veteran offensive tackle La’el Collins, aiming to bolster their offensive line amid growing tension.

Micah Parsons’ Decision to Seek a Trade Reflects Contract Disputes

Micah Parsons, a four-time Pro Bowler with the Cowboys, took to social media to announce his trade request, expressing frustration over the lack of progress in his contract talks. While Parsons initially intended to remain loyal and continue his career in Dallas, the stalled negotiations forced him to reconsider his future. The defensive star sees a trade as the most viable option to ensure his value is recognized and rewarded properly within the NFL.

Cowboys Bring Back La’el Collins to Strengthen Offensive Line

Amid the ongoing contract saga with Parsons, the Cowboys acted decisively to upgrade their roster by signing veteran offensive tackle La’el Collins. Collins began his NFL career with Dallas after going undrafted in 2015, spending seven seasons before moving to the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021. After a brief period with the Buffalo Bills in 2023, where he was released during the final roster cuts, Collins is now set to return to Dallas. The move signals the team‘s intent to fortify its offensive front while navigating the defensive uncertainty caused by Parsons’ trade demand.

Fan Reactions Highlight Frustration Over Team’s Priorities

Fans quickly voiced their feelings about the Cowboys’ signing of Collins during the Parsons controversy, reflecting frustration and confusion over the team‘s apparent priorities. Many supporters criticized the franchise for prioritizing others over Parsons, questioning the timing and the management’s approach to its top defensive player.

“This has to just be salt in the wound,” —Fan
“Anything but paying Micah,” —Fan
“They gave this man a second contract before Micah LMAO,” —Fan
“Signing everyone but their best player,” —Fan
“Good to see Jerry is paying the right players,” —Fan

Commentator Skip Bayless Challenges Parsons’ Value Amid Trade Demand

Not all voices support Parsons’ stance, with sports commentator Skip Bayless publicly criticizing the star’s contract demands. Bayless expressed skepticism about Parsons’ impact and accused him of being overrated, sharing a lengthy rant on social media that questioned Parsons’ dedication and defensive abilities. Bayless argued that Parsons has been influenced by fan praise rather than focusing fully on performance.

“Okay, you want the truth about Micah Parsons’ trade demand? Or do you want me to say what everybody else is going to say? ‘Oh my God, Micah wants to be traded. Jerry, do something. Save this situation. Jerry, pay the man.’ I’m not going to say that because that’s not the truth. I’m going to restate my opinion that Micah Parsons has been way overhyped.” —Skip Bayless
“Micah Parsons has been deluded by reading all of your comments on whatever social media platform that he is on. … And by the way, he’s at least interested in doing podcasts as he is in winning Defensive Player of the Year. … Because if you look hard at his productivity as a Dallas Cowboys, it ain’t defensive player in the National Football League material.” —Skip Bayless

Last season, Parsons’ productivity was limited due to an ankle injury, playing only 13 games but still managing 43 tackles, 12 sacks, 23 quarterback hits, and 12 tackles for loss. Despite his individual statistics, the Cowboys ended with a disappointing 7-10 record, fueling debates about the team‘s defensive performance and Parsons’ role.

What Lies Ahead for the Cowboys and Parsons

The Cowboys now face a challenging period as negotiations with Micah Parsons remain unresolved and the defensive stalwart’s trade request looms large over the franchise’s future. Bringing in La’el Collins aims to stabilize an important area of the team, but the uncertainty surrounding Parsons could disrupt team dynamics and performance in the 2025 season. How the Cowboys navigate this impasse will be critical, as they balance retaining talent with managing fan expectations and roster strength.