

The Dallas Cowboys‘ ongoing contract standoff with Micah Parsons has drawn sharp reactions from around the NFL, but few voices have been as pointed as Robert Griffin III.
As the Cowboys prepare for a high-stakes 2025 campaign, the former Pro Bowl quarterback and current ESPN analyst has warned that lingering uncertainty around Parsons‘ future could destabilize the locker room and disrupt the team’s focus.
Griffin, never shy about weighing in on high-profile stories, called out Dallas management for allowing negotiations with one of the league’s most impactful defenders to drag into training camp.
“You cannot let something like this fester, especially when it’s your best defensive player,” Griffin said during a segment on ESPN’s “Get Up.” “This is not the time to make a statement. This is the time to make a deal.”
Robert Griffin III urges urgency as contract talks stall
Griffin highlighted how contract drama can undermine team chemistry, particularly for a squad with championship ambitions.
“Micah Parsons is the type of player that changes games, changes seasons. You need him fully locked in,” Griffin argued. “The longer this goes on, the more it becomes a distraction not just for him, but for everyone in that building.”
His comments come at a tense moment for the Cowboys. Team owner Jerry Jones has praised Parsons’ business acumen but stumbled publicly by calling him “Michael Parson,” a misstep that did not sit well with fans or former players.
Meanwhile, quarterback Dak Prescott has tried to keep the locker room unified, saying, “I think Micah’s doing a hell of a job with it, being here,” and emphasizing Parsons’ presence and professionalism even as contract talks drag on.
Griffin, though, sees this as a critical juncture. He argued that Dallas risks squandering a prime Super Bowl window if it mishandles negotiations with a generational defensive talent.
“You can’t keep kicking the can down the road. You have to reward the guys who deliver,” Griffin said. “If Micah Parsons walks into Week 1 without a new deal, the only message you’re sending is that you’re willing to gamble with your own season.”
Parsons’ impact and the road ahead for Dallas
Since being drafted in the first round in 2021, Parsons has been a game-changer for the Cowboys’ defense, racking up two first-team All-Pro selections and a Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
He tallied 43 tackles and 12 sacks last season despite missing several games, underlining his value to the franchise.
Griffin‘s perspective is widely shared by former players and analysts who believe the Cowboys cannot afford to alienate one of their true stars.
Former receiver Dez Bryant echoed Prescott‘s support for Parsons, signaling a rare moment of unity among Cowboys alumni.
The Cowboys open their 2025 season against the Philadelphia Eagles on September 4, and the spotlight will be on how the front office handles Parsons’ future. As Robert Griffin III warned, the stakes extend far beyond one contract.
“Dallas has to show it values its best players-not just in words, but in action,” Griffin said. “Otherwise, you risk losing much more than a player. You risk losing your locker room.”
This news was originally published on this post .
Be the first to leave a comment