Micah Parsons, the Dallas Cowboys star edge rusher, has expressed a desire to be traded, although he has not specified any preferred destination. Despite this, the NFL Network aired a fabricated quote during Saturday’s Arizona Cardinals–Denver Broncos preseason game, attributing to Parsons a statement about wanting to join the Broncos. The quote claimed Parsons said his “dream destination” was Denver because of their strong defense and Super Bowl potential.
Ryan Harris, a former Broncos offensive lineman and current analyst, echoed the sentiment on air, praising the Broncos’ chances and expressing excitement over Parsons allegedly endorsing the team. However, the podcast from which the quote supposedly originated, “The Edge,” has not released new episodes since January, and the quote was later revealed to stem from a fan-made post rather than Parsons himself.
Analyst Issues Apology for Sharing Unverified Information
Following the revelation that the quote was not genuine, Ryan Harris issued a public apology, acknowledging that sharing the false statement fell short of his professional standards. Harris emphasized his commitment to accuracy and learning from mistakes, apologizing to NFL, 9NEWS, and the Denver Broncos organizations for the error.
“I satisfied neither my own professional standards, nor those of the elite team at 9NEWS. Throughout my playing and broadcasting career I make it a point to learn from my mistakes. I have learned from this instance and will not make this mistake again. My sincere apologies to the NFL, 9News and the Denver Broncos. Read and Verify!”
—Ryan Harris, analyst and former Broncos offensive lineman
Micah Parsons and Cowboys’ Contract Negotiations Remain Stalled
Amid ongoing trade speculation, insider Adam Schefter confirmed that no progress has been made on Micah Parsons’ contract situation with the Dallas Cowboys. Speaking on ESPN‘s Get Up, Schefter described negotiations as stalled with no expectation of resolution before the regular season begins.
“It’s gotten personal, and they’re no closer to a deal, and there’s no reason to think that the Dallas Cowboys and Micah Parsons will be able to work out a deal before the start of the regular season.”
—Adam Schefter, NFL Insider
He added that there have been no contract talks since late March or early April, and it seems unlikely that discussions will resume anytime soon despite the proximity of the season opener.
“Now again it’s August 18th, and sides always could come together. But we want to emphasize. There have been zero. Zero contract negotiations since late March and early April. Is that going to change all of a sudden? I don’t think so.”
—Adam Schefter, NFL Insider
The Cowboys are set to begin their season against the Philadelphia Eagles on September 4, with kickoff scheduled for 8:20 pm ET on NBC.
Implications of the Misinformation and Trade Uncertainty
The erroneous quote about Micah Parsons highlights the risks of unverified information spreading within sports media, especially during periods of heightened trade speculation. While fans search for clues about Parsons’ future, the reality remains that no agreement has been reached with the Cowboys. The clarification and apology from Ryan Harris underscore the importance of fact-checking in maintaining credibility.
As the regular season approaches, the Cowboys and Parsons face ongoing tension, with the potential for impact on team dynamics and roster decisions. Until actual developments occur, rumors about Parsons’ trade destinations—including the Broncos—should be viewed cautiously.