Micah Parsons is going to sign a long-term extension with the Dallas Cowboys this offseason. The only question is when Jerry Jones comes to play at the negotiation table.
Parsons has been in and out of the building during the Cowboys' offseason team workouts. He and head coach Brian Schottenheimer have maintained fluid communication, with Schottenheimer going as far as to downplay Parsons' absence.
While it's not ideal that Parsons is still waiting for a new deal, Dallas isn't the only NFC East team navigating contract drama. Dan Quinn and the Commanders have yet to welcome star wide receiver Terry McLaurin to OTAs while he seeks a new-and-improved contract.
Cowboys and Commanders both navigating contract dilemmas at OTAs
McLaurin's absence from last week's practice wasn't viewed as a big deal even though it was immediately tied to his contract.
Countless star players have skipped the initial phase of OTAs over the years. Cowboys fans know that all too well thanks to Jerry Jones' insistence on dragging out contract negotiations.
What is concerning from a Commanders standpoint, though, is that McLaurin was nowhere to be found for the third phase of OTAs this week. The two-time Pro Bowler has been the heart and soul of Washington for several years. He was a driving force in the team's prolific passing game last season, catching 82 passes for 1,096 yards and 13 touchdowns.
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McLaurin ranks 16th among wide receivers in annual average value and 18th in fully guaranteed money. With one year left on his current deal, he is more than deserving of another financial commitment.
Quinn and Washington's front office have received nothing but flowers for morphing the roster into a contender in a loaded NFC. Just as Dallas gets dragged for prolonging contract extensions, though, the national media should keep that same energy for the Commanders allowing McLaurin's contract conundrum to reach this point.
Is it the end of the world that McLaurin is staging a holdout? No, but he'd be justified to ask for upwards of $30 million per year. Even with the addition of Deebo Samuel, he is by far the best receiver on the roster and caught over 50% of Jayden Daniels' touchdowns last year.
Maybe Quinn took more of the Cowboys with him to Washington than we thought.