Agent: Parsons wanted to stay with Cowboys

Micah Parsons' agent, David Mulugheta, addressed the saga involving the linebacker and the Cowboys, saying that Parsons wanted to stay in Dallas before getting traded to the Green Bay Packers last week.

"He wanted to be a Cowboy," Mulugheta told ESPN's "First Take" on Tuesday. "We did everything we could. And sometimes you got to be a little careful with what you read in the media, as far as what was offered to Micah, the guarantees that were offered, the APY that was offered. There's so much that goes into an NFL contract."

Mulugheta added, "The devil's in the details."

Entering the final year of his rookie contract, Parsons was looking for an extension that would make him the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback. However, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones wasn't able to reach an agreement with Parsons, who requested a trade Aug. 1. Though Jones originally said he wouldn't deal the 26-year-old, he ultimately sent Parsons to the Packers in exchange for two first-round picks and defensive lineman Kenny Clark. Green Bay then signed Parsons to a record-breaking four-year, $186-million contract with $120 million guaranteed.

Jones recently said the Cowboys offered Parsons the largest amount of guaranteed money for a non-QB in NFL history. However, Dallas' offer was for five years instead of four, sources told Jeremy Fowler and Don Van Natta Jr. of ESPN. The offer reportedly included more than $150 million in total value.

"If you look at many of these contracts that the Cowboys have done over the past few years, and the recent ones, the guarantees don't stretch much further than the first new year," Mulugheta said Tuesday. "If you look at Micah's current deal, he has guarantees into four years from now. So, again, there are certain things that have been put out in the media to make it look as though Micah turned down a fair or a great deal, but that's simply not the case."

The Cowboys kick off the 2025 regular season against the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday. Before Parsons was dealt to the Packers, it was unclear if he would've played without an extension. Mulugheta said skipping games was never an option for his client, adding that the four-time Pro Bowler was dealing with a "real" back injury that also kept him out of practices in Dallas.

"Micah loves the game too much. He was going to play no matter what," Mulugheta said, according to The Athletic's Jon Machota.

Parsons, who's recorded 52.5 sacks in 63 career games, is expected to make his Packers debut Sunday against the Detroit Lions.