Drama continues to surround the Dallas Cowboys and defensive end Micah Parsons as contract extension negotiations remain stalled. Parsons has demanded a trade, a request the Cowboys have denied.
On Tuesday’s episode of “First Take,” ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith said that if the Cowboys have no other choice but to deal him to another team because they can’t agree on a contract, they have to find another team other than the Eagles to get draft assets.
“Where is he going to go if he forces his way out and you all can’t reach some kind of accord?” Smith asked. “This is the National Football League. Listen, I know you don’t want him to, and I know that you’ll do everything you can to prevent it from happening. Don’t let that brother get in an Eagles uniform. He’s from Pennsylvania. Don’t let him get in an Eagles uniform.”
Parsons grew up in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and went to college at Penn State.
Although it is unlikely that the Cowboys would trade Parsons, the Eagles are equipped to make a deal. Including the compensatory picks the Eagles are expected to gain after losing defensive tackle Milton Williams, defensive end Josh Sweat and offensive lineman Mekhi Becton, they are projected to have 13 selections next season, five of which are in the first three rounds of the draft.
Smith also took aim at the massive contracts the Cowboys are already paying quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, putting them in a big financial crunch if they add Parsons’ deal. According to Over The Cap, in 2025, Prescott and Lamb will count $65 million against their salary cap, with Parsons already costing the Cowboys $24 million.
“Even when the cap gets elevated next year, assuming that Micah Parsons gets signed, you’re going to have about $50 million or so for 45 other players,” Smith said. “Considering how bad their cap situation is, that’s problematic for the Dallas Cowboys. That’s why when you look at trading Parsons, although it’s something that I would strongly advise against, I think the brother is a stud and you want to keep him because he’s a stud.”
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Chris Franklin may be reached at cfranklin@njadvancemedia.com.
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