The Dallas Cowboys front office has a reputation for dragging out contract talks with its biggest stars.
And the latest chapter of Dallas’ eternal contract soap opera is already heating up. As team owner Jerry Jones stalls on negotiations with Micah Parsons, analyst Mike Florio is pulling no punches-suggesting the delay is either “stupidity” or a stroke of media-savvy genius.
Parsons is entering the final year of his four-year, $17.1 million rookie contract. The Cowboys still have a fifth-year option in their back pocket, but many fans and analysts agree: there’s no reason for the team to wait. A deal could be done in an afternoon.
Yet, just like they did with Ezekiel Elliott in 2019, and again with CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott in 2024, the Cowboys are dragging their feet-and Cowboy Nation is demanding answers.
What’s really behind the delay?
Florio, speaking on Pro Football Talk, laid out two bold theories for the team’s procrastination:
“It’s either stupidity, or it’s a strategy,” he said.
He didn’t sugarcoat the first possibility:
“Maybe the Cowboys never learn. They’re stupid-because every time they wait and wait and wait, they end up paying more.”
But he also suggested a more calculated motive:
“If we have a high-profile holdout, we’re going to be the first item on every show, every day,” Florio speculated, implying the Cowboys might be intentionally creating drama for maximum media exposure.
Parsons isn’t playing games
No matter what Jerry’s thinking, Micah Parsons has already issued a warning:
“The longer they wait, the more it’s going to cost them.”
The All-Pro linebacker is widely considered one of the league’s most underpaid superstars-and the pass rusher market is about to explode. T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers is also due for a contract renegotiation, and if he signs first, Parsons’ price tag could skyrocket overnight.
The bottom line is: whether Jones is being reckless or cunning, one thing is clear-delaying this deal will likely cost the Cowboys millions.
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