The National Football League (NFL) and the English Premier League (EPL) are two of the most popular professional sports leagues in the world. Each sport has a superstar player seeking to relocate from their current team, so let’s compare the situations between Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons and Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak.
Let’s start with Parsons, who is currently entering the fifth and final year of his rookie contract. The Cowboys’ edge rusher took to social media to post a lengthy trade request at the beginning of August, seemingly in an attempt to force owner Jerry Jones’ hand to either trade him or offer a lucrative contract extension.
It’s a cat-and-mouse game between Parsons and Jones, with neither side willing to make a move. Sitting out during the season and missing game checks would not be in Parsons’ best interest, unless Dallas’ defense struggles and loses games. In that scenario, pressure to extend or trade Parsons will mount quickly, albeit at over $1 million for each game he holds out.
The Cowboys open up the 2025 NFL season on Thursday Night Football with a road matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. Facing the defending Super Bowl LIX champions and an NFC East division rival without their best defensive player could lead to a lopsided loss.
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Parsons wants to earn what other top pass rushers in the league have recently signed. It’s similar to Alexander Isak’s current situation with Newcastle United in the EPL. However, Isak’s situation is a bit more hostile and complex.
Isak has gone on record saying that he does not want to play for Newcastle. This comes after leading the club with 22 goals last season.
Liverpool, which won the 2024-25 EPL title, is Isak’s preferred landing spot. The Reds have already offered the star striker a contract of £110 million, plus add-ons, which Newcastle previously turned down, seeking an additional £40 million for Isak’s valuation.
There are a couple of differences between Parsons' and Isak’s contract negotiations. Isak has more leverage as the club’s primary scorer, while Parsons is one of 53 players on Dallas’ roster. The 2021 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year is a talented player. However, his value is much smaller than Isak’s, even while playing a highly paid position, due to playing a sport with a much bigger roster.
If a club cannot score goals in the EPL, there’s no chance they will be competitive enough to contend for a title. Isak knows this and is using it as leverage until he can join the defending champions. Unlike Parsons, who doesn’t have a preferred destination in mind, Isak has specifically requested to join Liverpool and is refusing to train with Newcastle.
The 25-year-old striker is currently under a six-year, £37.4 million contract with Newcastle through 2028, earning £6.2 million per year. His production on the pitch will eventually earn Isak a big payday, which he hopes will come from Liverpool, who have already shown mutual interest.
