The Micah Parsons contract and readiness have become pressing concerns as the linebacker remains sidelined, refusing to practice until he secures a significant contract before the 2025 NFL season. Parsons, entering his fifth year using the franchise tag, is set to earn $24 million, a sum considerably less than top defenders such as T.J. Watt and Myles Garrett, who have secured lucrative long-term deals. This delay is creating uncertainty for the Dallas Cowboys, who rely heavily on Parsons’ defensive impact.
Former Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer weighed in on the issue, cautioning that Parsons’ absence from practices will make it difficult for him to reach peak physical condition for the start of the season. Speaking on Colin Cowherd’s podcast, Palmer emphasized the importance of preparation and conditioning that typically comes from training camp and preseason games.
“I think the biggest thing with Micah’s situation is he hasn’t practiced. He’s not physically ready. We’re all kind of saying the same thing; they’re eventually going to pay him right, probably right before the start of the season, or maybe in the second week.” —Carson Palmer, former Bengals QB
“The problem is, then you pay a guy top-tier money, and his body hasn’t gone through a real training camp and all the preseason games and the preparation that a guy like Mike Micah needs to get his body ready to be durable throughout the season.” —Carson Palmer, former Bengals QB
“I think that’s the biggest issue, and the biggest distraction is he’s protecting his body because he’s not under a new contract, and he’s not physically ready to play.” —Carson Palmer, former Bengals QB
Troy Aikman expresses confidence in Jerry Jones’ ability to resolve contract issues
Adding to the conversation, NFL Hall of Famer Troy Aikman spoke about the necessity of resolving Parsons’ holdout, stressing the linebacker’s importance for Dallas’ defensive strength. Aikman expressed surprise if the Cowboys fail to finalize a deal, noting that Jerry Jones has a history of securing top talent with competitive contracts.
Aikman applauded Parsons’ impact on the field, describing him as a “generational talent” capable of disrupting opponents’ game plans. He projected that the Cowboys’ management will come to an agreement on the contract just before the new season begins, ensuring the team is well-prepared.
“Jerry has shown that he’ll pay top dollar. Parsons is a generational talent, and like I said, he’s a total game wrecker. He’s proven that. So they’ll get something done. That is what I expect.” —Troy Aikman, NFL Hall of Famer
Dallas Cowboys poised to improve under new coaching leadership amid contract uncertainty
With Brian Schottenheimer stepping in as head coach, the Dallas Cowboys aim to build on previous performances and target a strong record in the upcoming season. The team’s defense, bolstered by Parsons’ presence, is viewed as essential to achieving their goal of reaching the playoffs or potentially the Super Bowl. However, the lingering contract dispute and Parsons’ lack of practice time present challenges to the team’s readiness.
The resolution of the Micah Parsons contract and readiness will likely shape the Cowboys’ early-season competitiveness, as the linebacker’s conditioning directly affects his performance and durability. The team‘s ability to finalize the contract and integrate Parsons back into full training efforts will be critical in maintaining their championship aspirations.