FRISCO - Micah Parsons keeps trying to shut 'em down.
The media keeps trying to stir 'em up.
The rumors continue to swirl about Parsons potentially being traded by the Dallas Cowboys, a concept that could be completely shut down by owner Jerry Jones ...
If he'd hurry up and sign his best defensive player to a contract extension.
When he does do that - and that is the "America’s Team'' plan here, with Micah volunteering to possibly take less than the $40 million APY deal that would make him the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history - it might accomplish two things.
One, yes, it will end the idea that the 25-year-old premium pass-rusher has a future anywhere but Dallas.
And two ... it'll make Jerry Jones look competent.
As a general manager, Jerry has been catching heck since ... well, since he and Jimmy Johnson divorced 30 years ago.
There are transactional issues (why did it take so long to sign Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb?) and there are commitment doubts (why won't Dallas spent in outside free agency to improve the roster?)
But there is this: Parsons - who has gone public in essentially demanding that the Joneses change their frugal approach to roster-building - is nevertheless not only loya to the Cowboys ...
He's also loyal to Jerry.
Parsons hosted a show at the Super Bowl during which a mention of Jones brought on hoots and boos from the otherwise pro-Dallas audience.
And Micah shut down his own audience.
“Me and Jerry Jones ... That’s my dog,” Parsons said. “We gotta stop that Jerry Jones hate… Listen, I’m telling y’all right now Cowboys Nation, Jerry Jones is much better as a GM than you guys think … I never met a man that takes better care of his players.”
Parsons is broaching a few different issues here.
The 82-year-old Jerry's grandfatherly approach to his guys? That's real.
The elite ranking of Jerry as a GM? If playoff wins and Super Bowl contention is the measuring stick, Micah is blinded by loyalty.
But Parsons' devotion to Jones, "blind'' though it may be, is the stuff "Cowboy for Life'' is made of. It is a positive part of the fiber of Jerry's Dallas Cowboys ... it's just that it would be made even more positive if it would pay off in a championship.
