David Mulugheta, the agent of pass rusher Micah Parsons, told ESPN’s First Take that his star player wanted to remain in Dallas.
Micah Parsons’ Agent Tells All On First Take
The NFL world is still reeling from the blockbuster trade last week that sent Parsons to the Green Bay Packers for two first-round picks and defensive lineman Kenny Clark.
For the better part of the offseason, it’s been a war of words between Parsons and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.
Now, Mulugheta is stepping in to speak to the media on behalf of his client. According to Mulugheta, Parsons never wanted to leave Dallas.
“I think the most important thing is Micah wanted to be a Cowboy,” Mulugheta said on First Take. “He grew up cheering for the Cowboys, wore the blue and white at Penn State, wore it in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys. He wanted to be a Cowboy, and we did everything we could for him to remain a Cowboy.”
The disconnect stems from a verbal agreement that Jones claimed to receive from Parsons in March. Jones believed that the meeting was to discuss Parsons’ contract, while the star defender thought it was a conversation centered around leadership. Mulugheta said he was “open to negotiate” with the Jones family.
“I reached out to [Cowboys VP] Steven Jones and asked him to start negotiations,” Mulugheta explained. But for some reason, coming out of that conversation, Jerry believed that he had reached an agreement and he was not open to negotiate any further.”
Mulugheta acknowledged that Jones was willing to make Parsons the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. The reported offer was a five-year deal that carried an average annual salary of $40.5 million and guaranteed money of over $150 million.
To Mulugheta and Parsons, the four-year versus five-year contract was a huge difference in money.
“So from an (average per year) standpoint, for just looking at the average that there was offered to him, I believe it was $40.5 million was that offer, which would have made him, at the time, from an APY standpoint, the highest paid,” Mulugehta added. “That being said, the way the cash flow was structured, over his first three new years, he would not be paid as the paid player in the NFL. So again, that’s why I say the devil’s in the details.”
Parsons and the Packers agreed to terms on a four-year, $188 million deal with $136 million guaranteed. Parsons is now the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history with an average annual salary of $47 million.
Micah Parsons Dealing With Back Injury
Packers LB Micah Parsons has been dealing with an L4/L5 facet joint sprain in his back and he may take an epidural injection prior to Sunday’s game vs. the Lions if needed to help him play, per sources.
Before trading Parsons last week, the Cowboys prescribed him a five-day plan… pic.twitter.com/8zXkNK45Ip
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 1, 2025
Parsons’ debut with the Packers might not come in Week 1.
Parsons is dealing with an L4/L5 facet joint sprain.
Parsons may be able to play against the Detroit Lions by taking an epidural. The linebacker’s status for Week 1 will be one of the biggest storylines in the NFL.
