Micah Parsons admits to harboring resentment toward Jerry Jones and the Cowboys for "disrespect" during his departure

In a statement that has sparked controversy on social media and in the sports media, star linebacker Micah Parsons, now with the Green Bay Packers, openly admitted that he harbors resentment toward Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, and the organization as a whole. The statement comes ahead of Parsons' exciting return to AT&T Stadium this Sunday, where he will face his former team in Week 4 of the NFL season. "There were a lot of disrespectful things that happened during this process," Parsons revealed in an interview, referring to the tense exchange that led to his trade to Green Bay at the end of August.

Background of the conflict:
The contract drama between Parsons and the Cowboys escalated during the 2025 offseason. The 26-year-old, two-time All-Pro linebacker was seeking a massive contract extension similar to that of Nick Bosa (five years for $170 million), but negotiations stalled. Sources indicate that Jones offered a record-breaking contract with over $132 million guaranteed, but Parsons felt the process was disrespectful: lengthy meetings with no progress, public protests during the preseason (such as appearing at practice without his uniform), and a lack of personal communication from Jones after the OTAs (Organized Team Activities).

Key timeline:

March 2025: Parsons and Jones meet at The Star (the Cowboys' training facility) for three hours to discuss the contract. Parsons expected a "lifetime" deal, but Jones prioritized other extensions, such as that of DaRon Bland ($92 million for four years).
July-August 2025: Parsons publicly pushes back: "I'm not here to please another grown man," he states on a podcast, focusing on his teammates but criticizing the management. Jones responds with his famous quote "Don't let your money get you mad," insisting that it wasn't personal.
Late August: The Cowboys trade Parsons to the Packers for two first-round draft picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. Parsons immediately signs a five-year, $175 million contract with Green Bay, where he has recorded 3.5 sacks in the first three weeks.
September 2025: Jones declines a video tribute for Parsons upon his return, saying, "I don't think it's appropriate... Emmitt [Smith] was a different story." Parsons responds, "I haven't spoken to Jerry since OTAs; he never contacted me during the trade."

Reactions and repercussions:

From Parsons: On X (formerly Twitter), the player has been straightforward. In a recent post, he clarified, "I'm not mad at Jerry Jones. I respect him a lot," but in an interview, he elaborated: "They treated me like I didn't matter. The whole process was disrespectful." His teammates in Green Bay, like Jaire Alexander, have welcomed him with open arms, and Packers fans already see him as the "new lion" of Lambeau Field.
From the Cowboys: Jones downplays the drama: "There isn't a shred of bad blood. I like Micah," he said at a press conference. However, analysts like Jon Machota of The Athletic point out that Jones "holds grudges like no other," and the rejection of the tribute reignites the tension.

Dallas' defense has struggled without Parsons, allowing 397.7 yards per game and leading the league in passing yards allowed.