The ongoing contract stalemate between the Dallas Cowboys and Micah Parsons has a new twist.
Parsons filed a grievance earlier this year regarding his fifth-year option salary, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.
Pro Football Talk was first to report the news.
The dispute stems from the fact Parsons believes his salary should be $24 million, the amount slotted for a linebacker. The Cowboys have Parsons listed as a defensive end, which pays him a $21.324 million.
Parsons won the 2021 Defensive Rookie of the Year award as a linebacker. He also made the Pro Bowl in 2022, 2023 and 2024 as a linebacker. He was named a 2021 first-team All-Pro as a linebacker. He was a first-team All-Pro edge rusher in 2022 and named a second-team All-Pro edge rusher in 2023.
The grievance adds another layer to the saga between Parsons and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. Parsons already requested a trade and didn’t participate in training camp because of stalled contract talks.
Jones and Parsons can mend their fences if they reach an agreement on a contract extension. Parsons’ next extension is expected to award him over $40 million a season, no matter the position listed.
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