In 2025, the usual camaraderie of training camp is overshadowed by trade demands from two standout players in the NFC East. The Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders are both navigating uncertain futures after their star players—Pro Bowl wide receiver Terry McLaurin and All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons—publicly requested trades on consecutive days. These demands highlight contract disputes tied to guaranteed money and reflect different but equally significant leverage points for each player.

While McLaurin and Parsons share the status of elite, entering-contract-year players seeking financial security, the nuances of their situations diverge sharply. Understanding these distinctions provides crucial insight into their motivations and potential outcomes within their franchises.

Micah Parsons Demands Elite Non-Quarterback Salary or Trade from Dallas

Micah Parsons, 26, aims to become the highest-paid non-quarterback player in the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL. His trade demand, posted on Friday, followed a patient negotiation period in which Parsons and his agent initially approached Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones for a contract extension after the conclusion of Parsons’ third season. Dallas delayed talks to the offseason, a decision that ultimately increased Parsons’ salary demands.

Parsons boasts historic performance metrics, being the first player since sacks were officially recorded in 1982 to record 12 or more sacks across his first four NFL seasons. His relentless pressure on quarterbacks—330 pressures since 2021, tied for the league lead with Raiders’ Maxx Crosby—underscores his standout impact on defense. Parsons’ quarterback pressure rate of 20.3% since entering the league ranks him at the top, further justifying his contract ambitions.

The Cowboys’ defensive expected points added (EPA) per play with Parsons on the field is 0.08, the best in the NFL since 2021, but it drops to -0.04, dead last, when he sits out. This stark contrast illustrates Parsons’ irreplaceable value. His unique athleticism and productivity place Dallas in a difficult position, as the edge rusher market has rapidly escalated during the offseason.

• On March 6, Maxx Crosby signed a $35.5 million per year extension with the Las Vegas Raiders.
• On March 9, Myles Garrett secured a $40 million yearly deal with the Cleveland Browns.
• On July 17, T.J. Watt agreed to a $41 million annual contract extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“It’s challenging because you don’t need to be there [at a $40 million average per year salary] right? If this market is set at $35 [million], then it kind of backfires because you see Maxx [Crosby] goes to $35.5, $36 [million],”

Parsons said on April 23.

“Then you see guys that are older than you, and you can say your production and versatility matches what they’re doing, and you say ‘Why?’ … I would say I’m more in my prime than a lot of these other guys who are more in the second half of their career. That’s the challenging part man, just getting fully [honest] about ‘What’s your worth?’ I don’t really think it’s about the dollar. I think it’s all about how much someone thinks you’re worth.”

—Micah Parsons, NFL Edge Rusher

Given these factors, Dallas faces a stark choice: make Parsons the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback or trade him. The franchise tag is not a sustainable option long-term due to salary cap restrictions, leaving either a lucrative extension or a trade as the viable outcomes. If Dallas openly declared Parsons available, its general manager Jerry Jones would instantly receive a flood of inquiries from other teams, demonstrating Parsons’ immense league-wide value.

Terry McLaurin Seeks Increased Compensation Amid Changing Quarterback Dynamics

In contrast, the trade demand from Terry McLaurin, who is entering the final year of a three-year, $68.4 million contract extension, is more complex. At 29, soon to turn 30, McLaurin is looking for longer-term financial security, especially following a career-best 2024 season marked by 13 receiving touchdowns—a record single-season total for the Washington Commanders and second among all NFL players last year behind Ja’Marr Chase’s 17.

Where Parsons’ value lies primarily in his dominance as a pass rusher, McLaurin’s situation is tied closely to the evolving context of the Commanders’ offense, particularly the impact of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. McLaurin’s first five seasons were marked by inconsistent quarterback play and limited team success, but the arrival of Daniels brought breakthrough results including two playoff victories and a new franchise touchdown record for McLaurin.

During his career, McLaurin’s receiving touchdowns are distributed across a broad array of quarterbacks, with Daniels responsible for 12 of his touchdown catches—a majority—highlighting McLaurin’s enhanced role and chemistry with the young passer. The receiving corps around Daniels remains mixed, with some veterans like Deebo Samuel, who struggled with productivity recently, and emerging talents such as Luke McCaffrey. Without McLaurin, Daniels’ development could be hindered by a lack of a top-tier target.

McLaurin also has observed peers from his 2019 NFL Draft class, such as DK Metcalf, secure much larger extensions—Metcalf’s four-year, $132 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers averages $33 million annually, ranking among the top for receivers in the league. McLaurin’s demand for “hazard pay” reflects concerns about nearing the age-related decline typical for wide receivers and the desire to maximize earnings while still playing alongside Daniels, whose rookie status promises further offensive growth.

Comparing Leverage: Different Paths to Contract Security

Both McLaurin and Parsons leverage their elite performance to press for better contracts, but their situations differ markedly. Parsons, younger and a generational defensive talent, is irreplaceable on a high-performing defense trending toward continuous elite output. McLaurin, while a top receiver, faces the challenge of tying his future earnings to a developing quarterback’s trajectory and his own aging profile.

Parsons’s trade demand is straightforward: he seeks to be the highest-paid at his position, and his outstanding stats back the claim. Dallas must either meet this demand or expose him to the market, risking losing their defensive cornerstone.

McLaurin’s situation is more nuanced, involving the need for extended guaranteed money while preserving his relationship with the refreshing Jayden Daniels-era offense, which delivered newfound success for both. His request appears to be less about immediate market dominance and more about securing stability and recognition for leading the Commanders’ offense during a pivotal transition.

Implications for the NFC East and Each Franchise’s Future

The contrasting trade demands by Parsons and McLaurin expose the differing priorities and challenges within their respective teams. Dallas hopes to maintain a defensive star whose presence directly correlates with their success, while Washington looks to solidify an offensive receiving threat whose value is tied to a promising but still maturing quarterback.

For the Cowboys, the pressure to agree to Parsons’ salary demands could reshape their payroll and defensive personnel strategy. For the Commanders, facilitating McLaurin’s contract requirements may be critical to retaining offensive continuity and aiding Daniels’ development.

Both demands reflect a wider NFL trend of players in their prime leveraging blockbuster performances into guaranteed financial security. How Dallas and Washington respond will likely influence their competitiveness in the near future and set precedents for managing elite talent in contract years.