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While the NFL’s elite pass rusher market shifts dramatically, Micah Parsons is taking a noticeably different approach with the Dallas Cowboys. He’s showing up for OTAs – not holding out like Trey Hendrickson in Cincinnati or T.J. Watt in Pittsburgh. That attendance speaks volumes. It’s a clear signal that Parsons and the Jones family will eventually hammer out a deal.
The Cowboys would’ve been smart to extend Parsons already, but at least they’re not facing the toxic situation that’s brewing in Cincinnati. Jerry Jones – who famously prioritizes winning headlines over winning games – is predictably taking his sweet time with negotiations. This drawn-out approach has become his signature move.
Dallas missed an opportunity to follow the blueprint other teams established with their defensive stars. The Raiders locked up Maxx Crosby months ago when he was considering his future in Las Vegas. Cleveland secured Myles Garrett when he was ready to walk away. Both situations show a simple truth in the NFL – cash changes minds quickly.
The worst-case scenario? Letting the Parsons situation deteriorate into something resembling the Hendrickson mess.
Parsons’ Contract Situation Doesn’t Have to Become a Cincinnati-Style Standoff
“Here’s more headline-grabbing attention!” That phrase should be mounted outside Jerry’s office at The Star in Frisco. While the Jones family might be relieved that Cincinnati’s Hendrickson drama is stealing some spotlight from their own contract negotiations, how confident should anyone be about Dallas handling this smoothly?
Look at the pattern – virtually every star Cowboys player in recent years has endured an unnecessarily public, painfully prolonged contract negotiation. These situations become media spectacles that exhaust everyone involved. Yet eventually, Jerry pays his stars what they’re worth. It’s all theater, but exhausting theater.
Nobody would call it a fireable offense if Dallas let Parsons test the market – though owners can’t be fired anyway. But imagine the optics if Parsons spent his prime years terrorizing quarterbacks for another franchise. The Cowboys excel at drafting talent (similar to Cincinnati), but where they’ve historically done better is eventually taking care of their homegrown stars – even if they make everyone sweat first.
The Cowboys organization isn’t perfect, but their track record tells me this deal will get done.
