The NFL knows business and how to cash in on the global visibility of America’s Team, the most valuable sports franchise in the world. So, it’s no surprise they are kicking off the 2025 season with the Cowboys visiting the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. It’s a prime-time showdown between the defending champs and a Dallas squad still chasing postseason redemption.

But to some of you, it might feel familiar… Well, it should. Last season, the Eagles swept Dallas and ran up a lopsided 75–13 margin across both games. So yes, this isn’t just another opener. It’s a scoreboard check. And one player has already circled the date. Micah Parsons. He didn’t offer a speech, but minutes after the matchup went public, the All-Pro edge rusher took to Instagram and dropped four words: “Yeah, yeah, let’s ball,” followed by a lion emoji and an exhale.

Now, knowing Parsons’ history, it’s anything but a subtle nod to the SB MVP Jalen Hurts or anyone. This is a man who was at Saquon Barkley‘s birthday party just after the Eagles’ SB LIX dub over the Chiefs. But at the same time, he knows (or at least, wants to) which shirt he’s gonna rep on the gridiron when game 1 arrives.

While the Eagles will unveil their Super Bowl banner that Thursday night, Parsons and Dallas will be looking to ruin the ceremony. It’s the beginning of a new era for the Cowboys. First-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer takes over, Dak Prescott returns healthy, and George Pickens joins the offense after a trade with Pittsburgh.

But make no mistake: this team will go as far as its defense, and Parsons is still its most feared weapon. And so, Micah’s contract noise is just increasing in decibels because it’s on a time crunch now. For how long can you deny one of the best at his position, the opportunity to get what he deserves? “Extremely important,” Parsons said, referring to being at training camp, but he knows much of it depends on the front office’s eagerness. “I don’t want to get off to no slow start. I want to hit the ground running.” There’s no holdout threat… Until he runs out of patience.

The longer the wait, the numbers will keep on increasing. Currently, former QB Kurt Benkert has projected a five-year, $225 million deal for Parsons as a fair connotation. “He deserves to be paid like it,” he said. Joel Corry of CBS agrees that patience could pay off for the linebacker, citing the Cowboys’ habit of waiting until the last minute with star contracts. History says it’ll get done. Eventually.

For now, Parsons seems focused on one thing: September 4. And it’s not just him, but the fixture has got the fans taking a shot at the league as well, for their so-called favoritism towards the Cowboys.

The fans can’t believe the Cowboys are getting it yet again!

You’d think a 7–10 record might buy you some humility, or at least a seat at the afternoon table. But nope—not if you’re the Dallas Cowboys. Fans didn’t just raise eyebrows when the 2025 NFL schedule dropped. They collectively rolled their eyes. Again. “Cowboys always get the prime time games even though they didn’t make the playoffs,” one fan posted. Hard to argue, right? Dallas didn’t just miss the postseason—they got flattened 41-7 by Philly in Week 17 and finished with a home record uglier than a botched flea flicker (2–7 at AT&T Stadium, yikes). Yet somehow, they’ve snagged multiple prime-time spots like it’s 1995.

It’s not just a one-off gripe, either. This has become the Cowboys’ annual off-field Super Bowl, dominating prime time regardless of performance. “Lamest. Season. Opener. Ever all to just force the Cowboys into prime time,” another fan wrote, frustrated at the league’s scheduling strategy. But why the obsession? Well, broadcasters know the Cowboys still draw monster ratings, even if their secondary can’t stop a screen pass. Joe Buck said it best back in November 2024: “They’re always relevant.” Relevant, sure.

By now, it feels like the NFL schedule drops and somewhere, a network exec whispers, ‘Get Dallas in there before the midseason meltdown.’ One fan didn’t hold back: “Yay another season forcing us to constantly watch a mid Cowboys on prime time games.” Look, the Cowboys scored 20.6 points per game last season—ranked 21st. Their defense? Even worse—second-to-last in points allowed. That’s not America’s Team energy. That’s more Thursday Night Football on a short week energy.

The most brutally accurate line came from a fan with a calendar and a crystal ball: “The annual put the Cowboys on prime time as much as possible in the first 7 weeks cause we know they won’t be relevant after the 8th week.” Tell me that isn’t painfully on-brand. Dak’s durability, the second-half fades, the late-season heartbreak… It’s like a yearly rerun. Yet networks keep running it back for TRP. It’s not about wins, it’s about watchers. Dallas still brings them millions… Even if they are the hate watchers.

Lastly, one fan summed it up with his humor: “Gotta give the Cowboys an early prime time game before the collapse or Dak gets hurt.” Not subtle. But after seasons of early sizzle and late-season nosedives, it tracks. The Cowboys might not be playoff-bound, yet again, but they’ll be on your feed every week.