Dallas Cowboys' star linebacker Micah Parsons and Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones have been in disagreement on a new contract throughout the entire offseason.
The ex-Penn State star is entering the final year of his rookie contract and wants to be paid as the best defender in the NFL, and has statistics to back it up. However, Jones hasn't budged on his position.
Recently, a former Cowboys' star who also went through contract negotiations with Jones opened up on Parsons' situation and what his advice would be for the young star.
DeMarcus Lawrence Opens Up on Parsons' Situation
Cowboys' former captain, Lawrence, joined "The Pivot" podcast with Ryan Clark, Channing Crowder and Fred Taylor, and talked about the contract conflict that's developed between Parsons and Jones.
"You have an owner on one hand that’s basically asking him to go prove it and play another year," Lawrence said. "But, you’ve got a young star on the other hand that’s like, 'I already proved enough to you. You’ve got to pay me my money.'"
Parsons put together four straight double-digit sack seasons, four straight Pro Bowls, two All-Pro seasons and won Defensive Rookie of the Year. The Cowboys' star linebacker has done more than enough to prove his worth in Dallas.
However, it seems like Jones is asking Parsons to prove it for one more year. But, for Lawrence it was a slightly difference situation.
"It’s really hard to speak on it because with my situation, Jerry [Jones] franchise tagged me the first time," Lawrence said.
Jones told Lawrence that if he proved himself again in his franchise tag year, he'd give him a new contract. Lawrence added that he can't say for sure what the dialogue has been between Parsons and Jones, but in his situation, the Cowboys' owner was willing to pay him, just after the franchise tag year.
New @seahawks’ defensive end @TankLawrence played in Dallas for a decade, & had many negotiations with Jerry Jones. He even played on the franchise tag. So, what’s Demarcus Lawrence’s advice for Micah Parsons… @thepivot Training camp Sunday Conversations on @YouTube & all… pic.twitter.com/joVqpUoog1
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) August 25, 2025
"That's what I think people be getting it misconstrued," Lawrence said. "Like, you handle your business and stuff, Jerry will pay you. You know what I mean? Overall, through my experience, he paid me, so I ain't got nothing to say."
The former Cowboys' captain played 11 years in Dallas. Lawrence played on the franchise tag in back to back seasons in 2018 and 2019 before earned a five-year, $105 million extension.
Lawrence signed one more extension with the Cowboys in 2022 before signing a new contract with the Seattle Seahawks this offseason.
Parsons is still on the final year of his rookie contract, but the contract conflict between the star linebacker and the Cowboys owner has seemingly reached its tipping point.
The Cowboys open their 2025 season in 10 days, and it's still uncertain whether Parsons will be on the field or not.