Tribute Talk: Does Micah Parsons Deserve Recognition During his Return to Dallas?

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After being exposed by the Chicago Bears in their 31-14 loss, the Dallas Cowboys' ongoing drama off the field continues this weekend when former Cowboys defensive end Micah Parsons returns to AT&T Stadium for the primetime Sunday Night Football showdown on Sept. 28.

Despite playing four seasons with the Cowboys prior to being traded, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has made it public that the organization does not plan on paying tribute to Parsons following a contract dispute.

“I don't think that's appropriate this way," Jones told the Dallas Morning News. “I think Micah has enough welcome out there and we just need to show that we've got antidotes for that."

During this past off-season, Jones voiced concerns on multiple platforms about how Parsons, along with his manager, made it difficult to get a deal done to keep the four-time Pro Bowler in Dallas. The contract dispute resulted in Parsons being traded to the Green Bay Packers, who are currently 2-1 following their loss to the Browns.

Since joining the Packers, Parsons has continued to serve as a defensive threat, tying for first in the NFL with 14 quarterback pressures, according to ESPN, and recording 1.5 sacks through three games. His addition has helped the Packers rise to third in total defense.

Parsons responded to Jones' comments about a tribute by saying, “I'm happy where I'm at and we’ve got a really good football team, so I guess I can [receive] my tribute in a win, I hope."

It is hard not to mention the immediate impact Parsons had on the Dallas Cowboys organization. With the Cowboys, Parsons recorded 52.5 sacks, 261 total tackles, and 112 quarterback hits over 63 games, along with nine forced fumbles. However, his productivity did not carry into the playoffs, where he holds a 1-3 career record.

As a fellow Cowboys fan, I believe the harsh reality is that Parsons never won anything for the Cowboys. Although he has been a Pro Bowler every year since entering the NFL and is arguably the best pass rusher in the world, he has disappeared in the games that mattered most.

Parsons has only tallied 8 solo tackles, 10 assists, and 1.0 sack in four playoff games. On paper, he is a nightmare for offensive linemen and a machine in the regular season. But in crunch time, Parsons fails to deliver. He gets paid the big bucks to make big plays in big moments — and he hasn’t done that.

Another reason Parsons doesn’t deserve a tribute is the way he left the Cowboys. Following the contract dispute with Jones, Parsons requested a trade on Aug. 1, 2025. Praising a player who publicly demanded out of Dallas doesn’t seem fitting.

Parsons’ return as an opponent could also be distracting, taking away from the intensity of the matchup and fueling a narrative that he was forced out of Dallas rather than showing he wanted to leave.

On the other hand, Parsons spent a significant amount of time in Dallas, earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors. Many Cowboys fans admired his intensity and talent, which left them shocked and upset about his trade request.

A tribute could acknowledge his time as a franchise star in a respectful way and reinforce his long-term connection to the team. Who knows — maybe rebuilding that connection could one day lead to an official return. Only a fan could dream.