by: Sam Gillenwater 23 minutes ago samdg_33
Micah Parsons and the Cowboys remain at odds with one another through his contract dispute and, with that, his trade request. However, with sway on both sides, there’s one thing that Parsons may have that Dallas has to give into in the end.
On ‘Monday Night Football’ last night, Troy Aikman and Joe Buck discussed Parsons’ dispute late in the fourth quarter during the Bengals’ win over the Commanders. The face of the matter to Aikman was, while he may not have much leverage, Parsons has the only leverage he needs to being the difference in how good that Dallas is this season.
Troy Aikman on the Cowboys: “[Micah Parsons’] leverage is that they can’t win without him… I do think the Cowboys are gonna be better than what a lot of people project… I don’t think anybody knows what Jerry (Jones) is ever gonna do.” ️ #NFL pic.twitter.com/Kf5ledsPie
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) August 19, 2025
“You can’t be (great without Micah Parsons),” said Aikman. “That’s his leverage. His leverage is they can’t win without him.”
That’s not to say that the Cowboys won’t win any games at all if they don’t get a deal done with Parsons, as Aikman and Buck were both fairly high on what this season could be for Dallas. Still, there’s no denying the effect felt from the absence of one of the best players in the NFL.
“I do think the Cowboys are going to be better than what a lot of people project. I saw something where, you know, the pundits think that the over-under is 7.5 wins on the Cowboys. I think they’re going to be much better than that. I think they’ve got a chance. You know, I think, I like what Brian Schottenheimer has shown in training camp and going into the year. And they’ve got some things that I like about the team in general,” said Aikman. “But, without Micah Parsons, I just don’t think they’re going to be able to slow anybody down.”
“I think Brian Schottenheimer is going to do really well as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys,” Buck later added. “But, to go back to what they would do on defense without Micah Parsons? I mean, that is a gigantic hole that nobody can fill.”
Parsons has been a multiple-time selection as an All-Pro, being a Pro Bowler in each year, and a candidate as an MVP already through just four years in the National Football League. That’s with an average stat-line per season of 64 tackles, 15.8 being for loss, with 13.1 sacks and 2.3 forced fumbles.