FRISCO - Jerry Jones has never really been quick to trigger on a major deal. Dallas Cowboys fans got a double dose of those operating tactics last offseason.
Both Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb were due for contract extensions last summer. Lamb held out until after the preseason when the sides finally came to terms and Prescott was set to open the season without his finalized before the Cowboys got it done hours before kickoff in Week 1.
While those negotiations were going down, Cowboys Nation fully understood a similar situation waited on the horizon with Micah Parsons due his own extension this offseason.
That time has arrived and has somehow already passed the Cowboys by. Dallas made appearances that a deal could be near, but free agency passed and they are still nowhere. In the meantime, defensive stars Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett both struck record extensions.
Garrett's at the time was the most for any non quarterback in NFL history, a title now belonging to Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase. All that together has now ticked Parsons' price up a significant amount.
According to Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News, Parsons is expected to ask for a $200 million contract extension, by far the most for a non quarterback in league history.
The slowing progress on this deal could very well lead to a holdout from Parsons.
"A person with knowledge of his thinking said Parsons hasn't decided whether he will report to voluntary workouts, which start April 7. In the last two years, Parsons has been an infrequent visitor to voluntary offseason workouts," Watkins wrote.
"He does report on time for the mandatory veteran minicamp and training camp, where he's subject to fines if he misses time without an excused absence."
While some within the confines of The Star believe Parsons has a duty to show face at the voluntary workouts, it's become clear the Cowboys' defensive star is setting his own terms and wants what he is due.
Related: Cowboys Bad News Coming From Micah Parsons Hints Insider
And what he is due is what is deserved in this case. Parsons gaudy sack numbers, including a record pace to 50 sacks, certainly give the evidence on the stat sheet and on the tape that he is an invaluable asset for the franchise.
But Parsons is also a staunch defender of the Cowboys across the depth chart and up through the front office. He is prone to some outlandish comments at times though he is a glowing ambassador for The Star.
That should be recognized and rewarded with this upcoming contract. Unfortunately, this seems to be waiting game on Jones to get the ball rolling himself. Clearly, he is content with taking his time.
Related: Cowboys Urged To Make 'Outside-The-Box' Move to Fix Dak Offense
Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published March 28, 2025 at 8:54 AM.