Micah Parsons' contract extension is one of the remaining dark clouds hanging over the Dallas Cowboys this offseason. A major update on developments indicate an agreement could be near between all parties.
The Cowboys have dithered with major contract extensions in recent years. This ended up costing Jerry Jones a lot more with prices going up around the league as the salary cap continues to soar. There was plenty of concern among the fanbase that the same mismanagement would fall on Parsons, who's already proven his worth as a franchise cornerstone worthy of a lofty financial commitment.
Reports earlier this offseason suggested talks on a lucrative new deal had barely begun between Parsons' representatives and the Cowboys. Things move quickly in the NFL, and it seems like a verbal agreement has been reached with an interesting caveat attached.
Cowboys have reportedly offered Micah Parsons a barrier-breaking extension
According to Clarence Hill of All City DLLS, the Cowboys have offered Parsons a deal that would make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. However, as is typically the case with Dallas, it's not set in stone just yet.
Hill revealed that Jones and Parsons had talked about the deal without involvement from the player's agent. Any contract would need to be signed off by David Mulugheta, who hasn't spoken to Dallas since the NFC Scouting Combine.
This is an unusual development. The Cowboys would typically go through the agent first before the player gets to sign off on the contract. Jones has completely flipped the script if this report is accurate, so there are more than a few obstacles to overcome before it gets rubber-stamped.
It's a strange development. However, it represents a positive one nonetheless. It might go against the grain and is unlikely to go down well with those representing Parsons, but getting something worked out is the common goal above all else.
Reading between the lines, this deal is projected to be north of $40 million per season. Although the former first-round pick out of Penn State is more than deserving, it'll be interesting to see how the contract is eventually structured considering the Cowboys are shelling out substantial financial resources on quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. After all, they still have a roster to build.
While it's not the traditional way of doing business, Jones' roster approach these days can be best described as unconventional. Reaching a verbal commitment with Parsons without agent consultation is a bold strategy. But all fans care about is the elite-level performer putting pen to paper when it's all said and done.
It'll be interesting to see if this ends up speeding things up. Parsons wants to stay and has reportedly agreed to the terms. His agent will need to look things over, of course, but it shouldn't be too much longer before this long-running saga reaches a successful outcome.
One can hope, anyway.
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