ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Micah Parsons’ blockbuster contract saga continues to ripple through the NFL. After leaving Dallas in a headline-shaking trade to Green Bay, Parsons claimed in his farewell to Cowboys Nation that his decision wasn’t about money, but about “clarity and opportunity.”

Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver isn’t convinced.

Speaking candidly after practice, Oliver challenged that narrative, saying the truth behind Parsons’ exit was less about vision and more about dollars:

“I respect Micah as a player — he’s one of the best. But let’s be real: he pushed for the biggest deal out there. Dallas couldn’t give it to him, and now he’s saying it wasn’t about money? That doesn’t line up. You can’t chase the bag and then preach loyalty at the same time.”

Oliver, who signed his own extension with Buffalo to remain the anchor of Sean McDermott’s defense, spoke with the authority of someone who chose stability over greener pastures.

“I could’ve tested the market too. But I stayed because Buffalo believed in me, and I believe in Buffalo. Loyalty — that’s how you build something lasting. That’s how you become part of a city’s heartbeat. If it’s always about who pays you most, you’ll never be the foundation — just a piece moving around.”

The Green Bay Packers may have landed Parsons in a high-stakes move, but Oliver was blunt about what one star can and cannot do for a franchise:

“Yeah, they’re stronger with him — no question. But one man doesn’t build culture. Culture is about trust, loyalty, and being all-in for more than just yourself. If money is the first priority, then you’re already playing for the wrong reasons.”

In Buffalo, where grit and loyalty define the team’s identity, Oliver’s words resonated as both a defense of the city’s ethos and a veiled challenge to players chasing massive paydays elsewhere.

For Oliver, the debate isn’t about whether Parsons deserves to be paid. It’s about what players want their names to stand for when the game is over.

*“You can buy houses, cars, whatever,” Oliver said. “But you can’t buy respect. Respect comes from loyalty. That’s how you leave a legacy.”