Jerry Jones: Micah Parsons’ trade request ‘part of negotiation’

OXNARD, Calif. — Micah Parsons‘ trade request Friday has not swayed Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones, who said he will not consider trading the star pass rusher.
“I think the world of Micah,” Jones said after Saturday’s practice. “And that [request] is just a part of negotiation.”
Jones spent 16 minutes answering questions about Parsons’ contract situation, discussed the agreement the owner believes they made in March, and sarcastically mentioned the back tightness that has kept the Pro Bowler off the field through nine training camp practices.
“That is 30 years of old stuff, some of these issues we’re hearing about trading, hurt backs, all that kind of stuff,” Jones said.
Jones would not say whether he expected Parsons on the field for the Sept. 4 season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.
“I don’t want to talk about my expectations,” Jones said. “Now that is speculating. But I can speak to anything that’s happened up until now and that has no sensitivity to me.”
Parsons made his trade request publicly with a social media post, citing, among other things, “repeated shots” from the organization.
“Unfortunately I no longer want to be here,” Parsons wrote. “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.”
Parsons was on the practice field Saturday, starting the workout less than 10 yards away from executive vice president Stephen Jones. However, for the first time in camp, he was not in his No. 11 practice jersey and spent more time with quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers than with the defense during drills.
As the team went through some 11-on-11 work, Parsons sat on the grass underneath the perch where Jones watches practice between the two fields. After practice, a loud chant of “We want Micah” broke out from the fans near the field.
Jones said he has not spoken with Parsons since the request was made.
Jones reiterated that he and Parsons reached an agreement on a deal in March when they met in the owner’s office. In his social media post, Parsons said the visit was supposed to be about leadership and Jones turned it to the contract.
Parsons took that offer off the table, Jones said. Jones would not divulge specific details of the agreement but made a reference to “guaranteeing somebody almost $200 million” in comments Saturday.
“What y’all don’t know is what I offered him, and it’s a helluva lot more than you think I did,” Jones said. “That’s what you don’t know. … But my point is I reached. Make no mistake about it. I reached.”
Since Jones and Parsons met in March, elite pass rushers Myles Garrett (four years, $160 million), Maxx Crosby (three years, $106.5 million) and T.J. Watt (three years, $123 million) have signed extensions.
Parsons is set to make $21.324 million this season on the fifth-year option. Without an extension this season, the Cowboys could use the franchise tag on Parsons from 2026 to 2028, though that last number would be at the cost of the top five highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL.
The Cowboys and Parsons’ agent, David Mulugheta, have not had any talks about a deal. Jones mentioned that he has done contracts with star players over the years by “the double handful.”
“It’s very important that if you want to change the contract that we’ve got right now, which this would, that I agree to what we changed,” Jones said. “That’s why it was so good when we sat down together and spent lot of time going back and forth adjusting and we had that exercise together [in March].”
“What y’all don’t know is what I offered him, and it’s a helluva lot more than you think I did. That’s what you don’t know. … But my point is I reached. Make no mistake about it. I reached.”
Jerry Jones on his March meeting with Micah Parsons
What about the agent?
“My experience has been the agent is not the one that solves the problems you have when you’re executing what you said you would do in the contract,” Jones said. “So I like to deal directly with the player when it’s of this nature.”
The Cowboys have a recent history of protracted negotiations with their star players. Two years ago, future Hall of Fame guard Zack Martin missed the early portion of training camp looking for a renegotiated deal. Last year, CeeDee Lamb signed a four-year, $136 million contract after missing the entire portion of camp in Oxnard. Dak Prescott agreed to a deal for $60 million per year hours before last year’s season opener.
Ultimately, all of those deals have gotten done.
“I’m really glad you brought that up,” Jones said. “It seems like that we forget that it’s been less than a year, and I paid the highest that’s been paid in the NFL to Dak, and I paid a big price for Lamb. Anybody that says I’m not interested in financially rewarding my players hasn’t been looking at the tea leaves.
“So there’s always negotiation, and the negotiation is to put the best team on the field. And many times it’s not even a question of ‘deserving.’ … I enjoy Micah. But as always in any relationships there’s different moods at different times of your relationship. That’s what it is. Don’t lose any sleep over it. That’s the one thing I would say to our fans, ‘Don’t lose any sleep over it.'”
Sterling Sharpe, Eric Allen, Jared Allen, Antonio Gates enter HOF
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Former wide receiver Sterling Sharpe shares some of the life lessons he learned during his time in the NFL. (2:39)
Sterling Sharpe stood at the lectern a few feet from his bronze bust, took off his new gold jacket and gave it to his fellow Pro Football Hall of Fame brother.
Shannon Sharpe had given Sterling his first Super Bowl ring and now big brother was returning the favor on stage after the crowning moment of his football career.
“This is why I played football,” Sterling said, referring to his younger brother, who wrapped his arm around him and had tears streaming down his face. “This is why I got out of bed; it wasn’t work. It was because of this right here. Before I leave you, I want to do two things. The most precious gift I’ve ever received is the Super Bowl ring. … I wear this ring because of love. You gave me this not knowing you were going to get another one. And I prayed to God: ‘Please, God, let him get another.’ God blessed him with two.
“The second thing is, the last time I was here, you said that you were the only pro football player in the Hall of Fame that could say that you were the second-best player in your own family. I agree with that statement, but it would be an extreme privilege … for you to be the only player in the Pro Football Hall of Fame with two gold jackets. You see, you have to learn to follow before you can lead.”
Eric Allen, Jared Allen and Antonio Gates joined Sterling Sharpe as the Class of 2025 was inducted into football immortality during a ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, where the Los Angeles Chargers beat the Detroit Lions 34-7 on Thursday night to kick off the NFL preseason.
Sterling Sharpe averaged 85 catches and 1,162 yards, finishing with 65 touchdowns in seven seasons with the Green Bay Packers. The wide receiver was named to five Pro Bowls and earned first-team All-Pro honors three times. A neck injury cut his career short and he waited a long time to get the call from the Hall.
Shannon Sharpe, who played tight end for the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens, was inducted in 2011. They are the first brothers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Jared Allen was the first player among the new class to take the stage after Hall of Fame running back Thurman Thomas led the crowd in singing “Happy Birthday” to former Bills coach Marv Levy, who turns 100 on Sunday.
Wearing his trademark cowboy hat, Allen talked about his motivation for success.
“Why is what makes you different; it’s your long game,” he said. “It’s the motivation that drives you to do all necessary action steps to achieve your goal. My why can be summed up in three things: fear, respect and the pursuit of greatness. … I apply my why to everything in my life, to my walk with Christ, my marriage and being a father.”
Jared Allen made five Pro Bowls, was a four-time All-Pro and had 136 sacks in 12 seasons with the Chiefs, Vikings, Bears and Panthers. His final game was Super Bowl 50, a loss by Carolina against Peyton Manning and the Broncos.
Eric Allen, a six-time Pro Bowl cornerback who played for the Eagles, Saints and Raiders, was presented by one of his four sons. Allen, who had 54 career interceptions, including eight returned for touchdowns, gave the obligatory “Fly! Eagles! Fly!” to support the Super Bowl champions who drafted him in 1988.
“I grew up in Philadelphia. I became a man there. I have a special gratitude for the organization,” Allen said.
Allen also thanked current Raiders owner Mark Davis, who was in attendance.
“Al Davis had a statement: ‘Commitment to excellence,'” Allen said. “It’s all over our building in Las Vegas. We are trying to make sure we fulfill that destiny, we fulfill what Al Davis was about.”
Gates closed out the day with a 23-minute speech that began with him saying he wouldn’t cry but included several emotional moments. Gates, who was presented by Chargers owner Dean Spanos, never played a single down of college football yet ended up becoming the 23rd of 382 Hall of Famers who was undrafted by an NFL team.
He thanked former Chargers tight ends coach Tim Brewster for discovering him after he led Kent State’s basketball team to the Elite Eight.
“Tim Brewster saw something special in me. He was pretty sure that I could make the team. He was adamant that I’d be All-Pro in three years,” Gates said. “You see, the thing is when switching sports or careers for that matter, it can be life-changing. The unexpected are often the most powerful ones because it can completely redirect your life if you’re ready to take advantage and you’re ready for the opportunity. Thank you to coach Tim Brewster and coach Marty Schottenheimer. They gave me an opportunity to play tight end in the NFL. Because of you, coach Tim Brewster, NFL teams and NFL scouts will never look at college basketball players the same again.”
Gates played all 16 of his NFL seasons with the Chargers, finishing with 955 catches for 11,841 yards and 116 TDs. He made the Pro Bowl eight times and was All-Pro three times.
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Quinn: McLaurin trade request normal business, not distraction
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Chris Canty weighs in on whether Jayden Daniels should speak out in support of teammate Terry McLaurin during his contract dispute. (1:04)
ASHBURN, Va. — Washington Commanders coach Dan Quinn says wide receiver Terry McLaurin‘s trade request is not a distraction, calling it a normal part of business in the NFL.
McLaurin requested a trade Thursday after talks on a contract extension continued to provide no momentum toward a deal. McLaurin is considered a hold-in and was placed on the physically unable to perform list after reporting Sunday. He held out for the first four days of camp.
Quinn said McLaurin informed him of his request before it went public.
“We love Terry and are really glad he’s here and hope he’s practicing soon,” Quinn said, “but I also understand the business side of things. That’s what they’re working through. I love coaching him.”
Quinn said he didn’t need to address the situation with players to make sure it doesn’t become a distraction.
“Players today are more aware of contracts than they used to be,” Quinn said. “They recognize that’s the business part. For the team, we’re just rocking. For Terry, the trade request, that’s part of normal business that’s happening around the NFL. We understand it.
“This group is tight, and they’re focused on what they have to do.”
Longtime safety/special teams standout Jeremy Reaves agreed with Quinn.
“17 knows I love him,” Reaves said referencing McLaurin’s number. “That’s my guy. I wish him the best but I have to come out here and I have a job to do. We’re a group that understands we all have a job to do. We have a responsibility to each other.”
The sides have been far apart for a long time in their negotiations, sources said. Washington has been reluctant to pay a wide receiver top-of-the-market money when he will be 31 as the extension begins.
McLaurin’s counter is Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf, who signed a deal worth $32.5 million per year this offseason. They were in the same draft class and have comparable statistics, but Metcalf is two years younger.
McLaurin is in the final year of a three-year deal worth $68.4 million. He turns 30 in September.
Quinn said he was not surprised it has reached this point but that he leaves the negotiations to general manager Adam Peters.
“I try to avoid judging it,” Quinn said. “I recognize players are trying to set themselves and their families up, so I try not to put myself in that spot. It’s too easy to say, ‘Man, if I had that much I would be this or that.’ So I don’t go there. I try to support him as best I can, but we don’t discuss the finance part of things.”
McLaurin, as has been customary since he reported, headed to the practice field around 20 minutes after the session ended. As he did so Saturday, he greeted teammates, then hugged Jayden Daniels’ mom and owner Josh Harris, who were talking to one another. McLaurin then signed autographs for approximately 45 minutes — with one young fan yelling to him that he was going to start a GoFundMe account.
McLaurin is Washington’s top wideout, coming off a season in which he caught a career-best 13 touchdown passes. He has surpassed 1,000 yards for five consecutive seasons and is coming off his second Pro Bowl appearance. McLaurin has been beloved by fans and deeply respected in the locker room since entering the NFL as a third-round pick in 2019.
For now, though, he is rehabbing an ankle that originally bothered him late in the season and signing autographs for fans after practice. He sits in on meetings and attends walk-throughs. Both he and the team are eager to get him back on the field.
“It’s an emotional time,” Quinn said. “I just try to make sure to support the player as best I can.”
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Chargers LB Denzel Perryman arrested on felony weapons charge
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Chargers’ Perryman arrested on weapons charge (0:39)
LOS ANGELES — Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman was arrested Friday night on a felony weapons charge, according to public records.
Perryman was arrested at 9:41 p.m. Friday and booked at 10:06 p.m.
“On August 1, 2025, at 9:30 p.m., South Los Angeles Station deputies conducted a traffic stop on Los Angeles Chargers football player Denzel Perryman, 32, for vehicle code violations,” the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement. “During the traffic stop deputies discovered five firearms in Mr. Perryman’s vehicle, two of which were assault style rifles. He was arrested and booked on weapons violation charges and was cooperative with deputies.
“Mr. Perryman is being held without bail at South Los Angeles Sheriff’s Station and is scheduled to appear at Inglewood Court on Tuesday August 5, 2025.”
Perryman is in his second stint with the Chargers after rejoining the team before the 2024 season. He is expected to be a starter and play a significant role in the Chargers’ inside linebacker group this season.
“Denzel and our team are still gathering information and working closely with legal counsel,” Perryman’s agent Ron Butler told ESPN. “While I can’t speak to the details at this time, we’re confident things will be handled appropriately through the legal process.”
The Chargers said in a statement that they were gathering more information.