Can you believe it’s been 30 years since the Dallas Cowboys last graced the Super Bowl-or even the NFC Championship game? That was 1995, and more than half the current roster wasn’t even born yet, with Dak Prescott just a 2-year-old. That drought doesn’t seem to dent the wallet of owner, president, and GM Jerry Jones, who at 82 still calls the shots for the world’s most valuable sports franchise. Last season, the Cowboys limped to a 7-10 record-their worst since 2020-hampered by Dak Prescott’s Week 9 injury and the absence of defensive star Micah Parsons in a couple of games. Now, Parsons is gunning to become the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback, and frankly, he’s earned it with his relentless play.
Fans Demand Action as Parsons’ Contract Talks Heat Up
The heat’s on Jerry Jones, and Cowboys fans aren’t holding back. During Saturday’s training camp practice in Oxnard, California-the first weekend session and a ceremonial kickoff-Jones faced a barrage of “Pay Micah!” chants as he spoke to the crowd. He might’ve been thrilled to see the stands packed, but the mood shifted when fans voiced their frustration. Jones has been dodging some jabs in negotiations with Parsons, who could hit free agency after 2025 if no deal is struck.
This fan outcry comes on the heels of wide receiver CeeDee Lamb’s holdout last year, which landed him a $136 million contract. The pressure’s mounting, and with Parsons’ talent, the stands are making it clear-they want him locked in. Also, let’s not forget that the Cowboys signed Dak Prescott just hours before the first game of Week 1 last season. I don’t doubt that Jones will do the same before the NFL kickoff, when the Cowboys open the season against the defending champion Eagles.
Parsons’ Dominance Fuels High Stakes for Cowboys’ Season
Parsons’ stats tell the story. He’s one of just four players to notch at least 10 sacks in each of his first four seasons, piling up a staggering 52.5 sacks-good for fifth all-time among players in their first four years, with at least 12 sacks every year. The Cowboys sure need to pay Parsons what he’s asking because they can’t afford to lose him when he’s the backbone of a defense that leaked like a sieve against the run last year.
With the offensive firepower of rivals in the NFC East-think Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin from Washington, Jalen Hurts with Saquon Barkley and A.J. Brown from the Eagles, and Malik Nabers with Russell Wilson from the Giants-Dallas didn’t make big defensive moves this offseason, which could bite them.
On the bright side, Prescott’s return offers hope. After missing time in 2020, he roared back in 2021 with 4,449 yards and a franchise-record 37 touchdowns, teaming with Lamb and Pickens to form a scary receiving duo under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer, who knows Dak inside out. If the defense, led by Parsons, holds up, Dallas could sneak into NFC contention.
Read the full article here
