The Dallas Cowboys should’ve already extended EDGE Micah Parsons, but owner Jerry Jones can’t get out of his way.
Parsons reported to training camp in Oxnard, California on Monday despite not having a new contract, per NFL Media’s Jane Slater. He’s set to play on the fifth-year option of his rookie deal this upcoming season. Jones still took a jab at the 26-year-old pass-rusher.
“Just because we sign [Parsons] doesn’t mean we’re gonna have him. He was hurt six games last year. Seriously,” the owner said, via The 33rd Team’s Ari Meirov. “I remember signing a player at the highest-paid position in the league. He got knocked out for two-thirds of the year, [quarterback] Dak Prescott. So, there’s a lot you can think about, just as the players does, when you’re committing and guaranteeing money.”
Jones should’ve double-checked his notes. Parsons missed four games because of a high ankle sprain last season. Prescott, meanwhile, suffered a season-ending hamstring injury, missing nine games.
More importantly, that’s not a valid excuse. Parsons doesn’t have durability issues. He missed one game due to COVID-19 in his first three seasons with the club.
Perhaps it’s Jones who is the problem. The Cowboys have delayed contract extensions for stars over the past two seasons. In 2024, they didn’t sign wide receiver CeeDee Lamb until late August, well after training camp. They also signed Prescott hours before their season opener against the Cleveland Browns.
It seems they’re doing the same with Parsons. He has said Jones and Co. are making contract negotiations “more complicated than [they have] to be.”
In doing so, the Cowboys have cost themselves more money. Prescott is now the highest-paid player in the league (four years, $240M), while Lamb (four years, $136M) is the third-highest-paid WR.
Pittsburgh Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt signed a three-year, $123M extension on Thursday. Two-time first-team All-Pro Parsons should be in store for a similar payday.
Why Jones continues to delay extensions for his best players is unclear. He probably just wants to keep Dallas in the headlines.
Regardless, the Cowboys will probably wait until the last minute to sign Parsons. Expect Jones to keep spewing balderdash throughout the process.
