The Dallas Cowboys entered the 2025 offseason with significant challenges following their disappointing 7-10 record. One of the first major moves was hiring a new head coach. Instead of making the high-profile decision many anticipated—such as pursuing Deion Sanders—team owner Jerry Jones promoted Brian Schottenheimer to the role. However, that was just the beginning of the Cowboys’ offseason tasks, with two major contract situations now dominating headlines: Dak Prescott’s looming salary cap hit and Micah Parsons’ anticipated contract extension.
Legal Troubles for Jerry Jones
Beyond football matters, Jones is also dealing with legal troubles. He has been involved in a civil assault lawsuit originally filed in 2020. The trial has faced multiple delays, with the original date set for March 18, 2024, then pushed to March 2025, and now rescheduled once again for August 11, 2025. Recently, both Jones’ attorneys and those representing the plaintiff appeared before Judge Aiesha Redmond in a Dallas County District Court hearing.
🚨NEWS: The trial date for #Cowboys owner Jerry Jones’s assault lawsuit has been moved from March to August.
Jerry has been accused of kissing a woman on the mouth and forcibly grabbing her at a home game.
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(Via Dallas Daily News) pic.twitter.com/VrSQbguOux
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) February 18, 2025
The lawsuit was first dismissed but later reinstated by the Texas Supreme Court. It was filed by a woman from South Carolina who alleged that Jones forcibly kissed her and grabbed her without consent in the Tom Landry Room at AT&T Stadium following a Cowboys game in 2018. Jones has denied the allegations, stating in an affidavit that he does not recall meeting the woman and that the accusations are “categorically false.”
Micah Parsons’ Contract Situation and the Cowboys’ Struggles
While Jones navigates his legal issues, he also faces growing uncertainty surrounding Micah Parsons’ future with the team. Parsons is reportedly open to signing a contract extension, but there is little movement from the Cowboys’ side. Some analysts believe this could be a warning sign for deeper issues within the organization.
Former NFL player Emmanuel Acho weighed in on the situation, suggesting that Parsons’ willingness to explore free agency could be strategic. With the official free agency period beginning on March 12, Parsons might be signaling his dissatisfaction with the team’s direction. Acho questioned why Parsons would commit to a long-term deal if the Cowboys aren’t making necessary roster improvements.
There are two potential reasons for Parsons’ hesitancy: First, Jones and the Cowboys have a reputation for dragging out contract negotiations. Second, Parsons has spent four seasons with the team without reaching an NFC Championship Game, let alone a Super Bowl. Given that the Cowboys haven’t made it to the conference title game in over three decades, Parsons may be contemplating a move to a team with stronger championship prospects.
A Pattern of Contract Struggles for the Cowboys
This situation isn’t new for the Cowboys under Jones’ leadership. His handling of contract negotiations has often been criticized, and the team’s inability to advance deep into the playoffs adds further frustration for star players. With free agency approaching, the Cowboys must decide whether they will commit to Parsons long-term or risk losing one of the league’s most dominant defensive players.
The Bigger Picture in the NFL
Parsons isn’t the only big name facing uncertainty. The 2025 offseason has already been full of surprises, with Myles Garrett reportedly wanting out of Cleveland and Deebo Samuel requesting a trade from the 49ers. Now, with Parsons’ future in question, the Cowboys are at a crossroads. If they don’t make decisive moves, they could lose one of their most valuable players, further complicating their long-standing quest to return to Super Bowl contention.