Jerry Jones continues to prove that his understanding of the phrase ‘strike while the iron is hot’ differs from others. The veteran Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager prefers to deal with players’ contracts at his own pace, and it may cost him big time, as Micah Parsons is still without an extension.
The negotiations reportedly began a few weeks after the Super Bowl in February, and it’s nearly the middle of June, and the star pass rusher is still waiting for a big check. Parsons is not the only one.
All-Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson announced that he will not attend the Cincinnati Bengals’ OTAs or any preseason camp until he signs a new deal. Hendrickson’s 43 sacks in three seasons make him one of the best in his position.
In Pittsburgh, TJ Watt is following the same route as Hendrickson. The former Defensive Player of the Year began his holdout this week and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future for a new deal.
Parsons is keeping an eye on what is taking place around the league and recently shared his thoughts with Cowboys beat writer Clarence Hill Jr. The 26-year-old hinted that if Watt and Hendrickson sign deals before him, then he will definitely demand more because he wants to be the highest-paid non-quarterback, a title currently held by the Browns’ Myles Garrett.
Parsons previously told Hill Jr. that he and Jones agreed on a handshake deal in March. However, the talks stalled because Jones bypassed Parsons’ agent, David Mulugheta, triggering the 4x Pro Bowler.
Jones doesn’t believe in talking to the middleman like it’s the 90s. He deals directly with the player, but Parsons repeatedly said later on that Mulugheta handles all his negotiations.
Ian Rapoport warns that the Cowboys’ delay in Micah Parsons’ contract extension may cost them more
Parsons always aims to be the best in his position. Logically, he should earn more than any other, and he might have if Jerry hadn’t dragged out the contract talks this close to the pre-season camp.
If Watt and Hendrickson sign big-money deals, then Jones better be ready to add a few zeroes to the predetermined number. In the latest episode of NFL Network’s The Insider, Ian Rapoport revealed his take after reading Hill Jr.’s article.
Cowboys like longer deals. Mulugheta, who is Micah Parsons’ agent, generally pushes for shorter deals. Perhaps that was part of the issue for as why this did not get done.
Ian Rapoport said
The veteran football expert highlighted that Parsons appears to be content with waiting, but “if the Cowboys wanted to get it done, they maybe could do that, it just doesn’t seem like they’re going to.”
Before Parsons, quarterback Dak Prescott experienced the same delaying tactics from the Cowboys brass until he signed a $60 million/year extension. When reporters asked the 31-year-old to express his views on Parsons’ situation, Prescott said,
Micah and I have talked in the locker room. [I want to] leave that as locker room talks. But [I am] very confident in that guy, and what he can do, who he is, and what he wants to do is as important as anything. And that’s in being a leader and the contract. I don’t have the full answer for it.
Since entering the league, Micah Parsons has played 63 games, accumulating 52.5 sacks, 9 pass deflections, 9 forced fumbles, and 4 fumble recoveries.
