Micah Parsons, the former Penn State All-American and multi-time All-Pro linebacker, remains in a contract impasse with the Dallas Cowboys as the 2025 <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL season approaches. The standoff, which began when Parsons requested a trade last week, has left his participation in the Week 1 opener against the Philadelphia Eagles in doubt, raising concerns about the team’s defensive readiness and future plans. Meanwhile, the availability of former Penn State receiver Chris Godwin for his Tampa Bay Buccaneers opener is also uncertain, as he recovers from a significant ankle injury.
Ongoing Negotiation Challenges Between Parsons and the Cowboys
Despite entering the fifth year of his rookie contract, Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys have yet to reach an agreement on a new deal. The current contract, valued slightly above $24 million for the 2025 season, offers no long-term security for the standout linebacker. Reports indicate that Parsons attended the Cowboys training camp but has refrained from participating due to a back injury. The tension between the player and team remains palpable, with Parsons publicly expressing his dissatisfaction over being excluded from contract talks and how he has been portrayed in the media.
ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter highlighted the uncertainty surrounding Parsons’ status during the August 11 episode of “GetUp,” emphasizing,
No deal in sight. If there’s no deal in sight… what’s going to happen? Is Micah going to play in the opener? We’ve already heard Jerry Jones wonder about whether Micah would be out there on opening day,
casting doubt about the linebacker’s availability.
Though the Cowboys technically hold Parsons’ rights for several more years under the franchise tag system—potentially up to three years—they currently face an impasse. Schefter explained,
Now they’ve been very opposed to that idea publicly saying, we’re not interested in trading him. He’s not going to be dealt. But you can’t not sign the guy and then you can’t not trade him. It’s one or the other. Either you’re going to work on a long-term deal, which they haven’t done with him, or you’re going to have to explore other options. Which they haven’t yet, but there are people around the league who wonder if they’ll get to that point in time.
Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones acknowledged the difficulty involved in the negotiations but reiterated the team’s current stance, stating,
That’s the nature of the negotiation,
and,
If you look at any negotiations around the league right now…I think they’ve all negotiated a trade. We have no intention of trading Micah.
Parsons’ Public Reaction and Training Camp Absence
Parsons’ discontent has been evident since the start of training camp. He initially requested a trade and later publicly aired his grievances on social media, lamenting the lack of transparency in contract discussions and perceived negative treatment related to his injury. His statement read,
Unfortunately I no longer want to be here,
followed by,
I no longer want to be held to close door negotiations without my agent present. I no longer want shots taken at me for getting injured while laying it on the line for the organization our fans and my teammates. I no longer want narratives created and spread to the media about me. I had purposely stayed quiet in hopes of getting something done.
His absence from practice amid a back injury adds another layer of uncertainty about whether Parsons will take the field for the Cowboys’ season opener on September 4 in Philadelphia against their <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/nfc/”>NFC East rivals.
Chris Godwin’s Recovery Clouds Buccaneers’ Season Start
Meanwhile, former Penn State receiver Chris Godwin, who recently signed a lucrative three-year contract worth $66 million with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is also facing an uncertain start to his 2025 campaign. Godwin, who has accumulated 579 catches, 7,266 yards, and 39 touchdowns over eight NFL seasons, is currently sidelined with a dislocated ankle and placed on the physically unable to perform list.
Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht provided an update in early August, noting, He’s advancing through his protocols, and added,
He’s exactly where they anticipated and hoped he would be at this point. We’ve still got a ways to go.
Godwin’s injury recovery timeline suggests he may miss some early games but is expected to avoid missing the entire season.
Godwin recently shared his thoughts on his contract negotiations and decision to remain with Tampa Bay, revealing the internal struggles he faced:
I mean, to be honest, I feel like we were really close (to leaving),
and explained,
But at the end of the day, like I was mentioning in the presser, I have to go based off my gut, I have to go based off my intuition and what I think is going to be best for us in the long run. Being here, where we call home, where we feel the most comfortable, where we can raise our newborn son, I think all those things are big factors for us in making this decision.
Implications and What Lies Ahead for Both Players
The unresolved status of Micah Parsons heading into the regular season carries significant implications for the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive prospects. Should Parsons remain sidelined, the team will be forced to adjust its strategies without one of its most impactful defenders. The ongoing contract stalemate also raises questions about whether the Cowboys may consider trading Parsons if no agreement is reached, despite public denials from front office executives.
For the Buccaneers, Chris Godwin’s recovery pace will influence their offensive plans early in the season. His presence on the field, especially considering his proven track record and receiving ability, will be essential for Tampa Bay’s hopes in the NFC South.
As Week 1 draws closer, fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see if Parsons will overcome his injury and contract issues in time to play, while Godwin’s rehabilitation progress will be monitored to determine his readiness. Both players’ situations highlight the complex intersections of player health, contract negotiations, and team dynamics heading into the 2025 NFL season.