Micah Parsons’ trade to the Green Bay Packers was one of the biggest headlines last season. The Dallas Cowboys were choosing to do away with their best defensive player, who wanted a contract that would reflect his worth. However, both sides had to take this step following a messy breakdown of their relationship. Three-time Super Bowl champion and Cowboys icon Darren Woodson thought that it was the best course of action for Dallas.

“I think they’ve held on to guys way too long,” Woodson said on the Doin’ Alright podcast. “And when you hold on to those viruses, man, it just continues to compound through the organization. And then you have a culture that’s just loose, and guys are falling asleep during pre-games. … It’s just ridiculous. Or out in the stadium, actually in the stadium, laying down on their back. Like, you just can’t. You can’t do that.”

While Woodson clearly did not mention anyone by name, there is only one notable player in team history to have been found in such a position: Micah Parsons.

Still in the midst of a drawn-out and turbulent contract negotiation, the star defensive end was seen lying on the medical bed on the sideline during the preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons. He was widely criticised for the gesture, which made it seem to some as though he had lost interest in the team, as alluded to by insider Jon Machota at that time.

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Ahead of the game, a visiting fan had asked him to join the Falcons as he was walking into the stadium. Parsons replied with a ‘call me’ gesture.

Soon after the incident, he pushed back on the narrative that he had given up on Dallas. He explained that he was receiving treatment for his back and did not spend much time in the medical bed. Parsons also denied any notions of not wanting to be part of the team.

“I’d never disrespect the guys out there fighting for their lives,” he said.

The Cowboys drew a lot of criticism for the way Parsons was traded to the Green Bay Packers. This was one of the team’s best draft finds in recent years, after all. Parsons had made four straight Pro Bowls with the Cowboys, along with two First Team All-Pro and a Second Team All-Pro honor. He also recorded 52.5 sacks.

Parsons was taking home a meagre amount at this time, as his rookie contract was worth only $17 million. However, he was not on board with what the Cowboys were offering as an extension. With time, rumors grew about Parsons being looked at more like a problem than an asset to be secured.

“I’ve heard from way too many people this offseason. I’m talking about at least four different people (have told me) that Micah has worn thin there,” Shan Shariff said on 105.3 The Fan. “I don’t know how much is true and how much it actually hurts (his reputation). I don’t know whether this is the behavior of a typical superstar. I don’t know how damaging it is.

“But all I do know is this — I’ve heard from way too many people that if Micah Parsons was out of there, there would be a decent amount of people inside the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco smiling or breathing a sigh of relief.”

The biggest sign that Parsons wanted to leave came when he officially wanted a trade earlier in August 2025. The Cowboys believed they had a contract agreement with him months prior. However, Parsons accused management of acting in bad faith, cutting off communication with his agent, David Mulugheta, and pushing negative narratives about him.

“We obviously wanted to get done early. We want that relief off our backs,” Parsons said. “But, obviously, ownership is always gonna make it drag out, make it more complicated than it has to be. Lack of communication and that standpoint.”

To subtly revolt against all these contract disputes, Parsons staged a “hold-in” instead of the traditional holdout, where a player stays home. Parsons showed up in the training camp so that he wouldn’t be fined, but he refused to practice or dress in uniform. He spent camp walking around in his sweats, completely disconnected from team activities. That’s what led to an officially submitted trade request to Cowboys COO and EVP Stephen Jones.