by: Nick Schultz 42 minutes ago NickSchultz_7
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones spoke Saturday for the first time since Micah Parsons made his trade request . He had a strong message to fans: “Don’t lose any sleep over this.”
Parsons went public with his trade request Friday afternoon, marking the latest turn in his contract negotiations with the Cowboys. He made it clear he did not want to be in Dallas anymore as he seeks a long-term deal, which would likely make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL .
As he spoke with reporters following Saturday’s practice, Jones addressed Parsons’ request. That’s when he said he would tell fans not to “lose any sleep” over the situation and also reaffirmed he has no plans to trade the star linebacker despite the request.
“I think the world of Micah,” Jones said, via The Athletic’s Jon Machota. “That’s just the part of negotiation. I don’t really place that with any seriousness.”
News of Parsons’ plan to request a trade broke Friday morning when The Athletic’s Dianna Russini said he intended to do so. Hours later, the Cowboys star shared a lengthy message on social media making his request clear, saying he doesn’t want to play for the franchise anymore.
The expectation is Parsons will become one of the highest-paid players in the league, though the market has shifted a few times this offseason. Now, he wants out.
“Unfortunately, I no longer want to be here,” Parsons wrote, in part. “I no longer want to be held to closed-door negotiations without my agent present. 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 no longer want to play for the Dallas Cowboys. My trade request has been submitted to [Cowboys CEO] Stephen Jones personally.”