The NFL Draft always brings drama, and this year, the Dallas Cowboys are right in the middle of it. On Thursday night, April 24, 2025, the Cowboys made their selections, but not everyone was thrilled with the picks—especially Terrence Parsons Jr., the brother of star linebacker Micah Parsons. Terrence took to X to air his frustrations, blasting the team for their draft choices. While it’s not entirely clear which specific pick set him off, the Cowboys’ decision to take Alabama offensive guard Tyler Booker at No. 12 overall has been a lightning rod for criticism. Micah himself, who was covering the draft for Bleacher Report, had a visibly lukewarm reaction, initially throwing his hands up in frustration before calling Booker “a beast” after some prodding from his co-hosts. Terrence’s comments on X echoed a similar sentiment, questioning the team’s focus on linemen when they desperately need offensive weapons to support stars like Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb.
Terrence has been vocal about the Cowboys’ draft strategy for a while now. Back on March 26, 2025, when NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks projected Dallas to take Missouri offensive lineman Armand Membou at No. 12, Terrence didn’t hold back, posting, “Nahh f**k that we don’t need a lineman.” He argued the team should prioritize a wide receiver, saying, “yes the trenches win games… but you can’t win games if you can’t score points… you NEED WEAPONS lol.” That frustration carried into draft night, as he posted, “THE COWBOYS HAVE DRAFTED MORE LINEMAN IN THE FIRST 3 rounds than any team in the NFL it’s time to let your coaches coach and go get your 60 million dollar QB some weapons so your 35 million dollar wide receiver can have the impact he’s supposed to in big games.” Later that night, he added, “It ain’t about being right or wrong lol what are the weapons gonna be on this team lol it’s not about booker being good or not who are we gonna be able lean on outside of ceedee lamb and dak when the going gets tough when the whole defense on ceedee and the run game ain’t working.” Terrence’s point is clear: the Cowboys’ offense, which ranked 23rd in the league with a 68.2 score (D+) in Pro Football Network’s 2024 rankings, needs playmakers, not more linemen.
The Cowboys’ draft choices come against the backdrop of high expectations that have defined the franchise for decades. Before the 2024 season, Dallas had reeled off three straight 12-5 campaigns, but they haven’t advanced past the divisional round since their last Super Bowl win in 1995—a 30-year drought that’s become a sore spot for fans. The 2024 season was a step back, with the team missing the playoffs entirely, finishing 7-10, which landed them the No. 12 pick in this year’s draft. That’s their highest selection since taking Micah Parsons at No. 12 in 2021, a move that turned out to be a home run. But this time around, the focus on the offensive line—especially after Zack Martin’s retirement—hasn’t sat well with everyone, especially with pressing needs at wide receiver and running back. Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan, a 6-foot-4 receiver Parsons openly coveted, went to the Carolina Panthers earlier in the first round, leaving the Cowboys to pivot to Booker, a move that Pro Football Network gave a B+ grade but many fans and insiders, including Terrence, saw as a missed opportunity.
Meanwhile, Micah Parsons’ future with the Cowboys remains a hot topic. He’s entering the fifth year of his rookie contract, set to earn $24 million in 2025, and an extension hasn’t been finalized. NFL Network’s Jane Slater reported last month that Dallas hadn’t engaged in meaningful contract talks with their star edge rusher, who’s expected to become the NFL’s highest-paid defender whenever a deal gets done. Maxx Crosby currently holds that title with an average annual salary of $35.5 million, and Parsons’ camp will likely aim to top that. On Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at the Cowboys’ pre-draft press conference, owner Jerry Jones sounded optimistic, saying, “I know about the years, and I know about the guarantees… it’s close enough to work on a number. I mean, I’m comfortable with it. I don’t need to adjust.” Parsons, for his part, is playing ball—literally—showing up to the team’s voluntary workouts under first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer, a sign he’s committed to the Cowboys for now despite the contract uncertainty.
The Cowboys’ draft strategy and Parsons’ contract situation are two sides of the same coin: a franchise trying to balance immediate needs with long-term stability. Terrence Parsons Jr.’s outspoken criticism highlights a real concern—Dallas has invested heavily in Prescott ($60 million annually) and Lamb ($35 million annually), but the offense still lacks the firepower to compete with the NFC’s elite. The team added depth in free agency, signing players like linebacker Kenneth Murray and running back Javonte Williams, but the draft was a chance to land a game-changer, and many feel they missed the mark. As the Cowboys navigate the rest of the draft and the offseason—rumors are swirling about “two pretty substantive trades” before or after the draft, per Jerry Jones—they’ll need to find a way to address those offensive holes if they want to live up to the sky-high expectations that come with being “America’s Team.” For now, Terrence’s frustration on X speaks for a lot of Cowboys fans who are tired of waiting for the team to get back to the Super Bowl stage.
