Dallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer has expressed confidence that star linebacker Micah Parsons will play in the team’s season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, despite ongoing contract negotiations and Parsons’ recent trade request. The four-time Pro Bowler, who requested a trade on August 1, 2025, has missed training camp activities and is yet to reach a new agreement with the Cowboys as he finishes his first contract.
Coach Schottenheimer’s Optimism
When asked about the impact of Parsons’ contract situation on the team’s preparations for the season opener, Schottenheimer was resolute in his belief that the linebacker would be on the field. Speaking at a press conference on August 20, 2025, Schottenheimer said, “No, because I think at the end of the day, we feel like Micah’s gonna be out there when we line up against Philadelphia here in 15 days or whatever it is. So, no… I feel good that Micah’s gonna be out there against the Philadelphia Eagles.”
This optimistic outlook from Schottenheimer contrasts with the earlier doubts expressed by Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who had hinted in early August that he did not believe Parsons would be ready for the season opener.
Louis Riddick Criticizes Jerry Jones’ Handling of Parsons’ Contract
ESPN analyst Louis Riddick has taken a strong stance against Jerry Jones, criticizing the Cowboys’ owner for mishandling the contract negotiations with Parsons. During an appearance on ESPN’s Get Up on August 20, 2025, Riddick said, “Micah has checked every box in that way, every single box—impact player, impact position, impact statistics, timely.” He went on to add, “He’s done everything exactly the way you want. He’s producing at a Hall of Fame rate, a young player that you drafted. These are the easiest contracts in the world. Everything that’s happening with Dallas right now is self-inflicted. It’s self-caused… To me, that’s flat out embarrassing.”
Parsons’ situation remains a hot topic, with ongoing discussions about his future with the Cowboys as the season approaches.
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