Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones believes a long-term deal with star pass rusher Micah Parsons is close, following a recent five-to-six hour meeting to negotiate terms. Key issues like deal length and guaranteed money are largely settled, but finer details remain with Parsons’ agent, David Mulugheta. Parsons publicly asserted he will not negotiate without his agent’s involvement. While Jones views the urgency of the deal as low, suggesting it’s nonessential for salary cap structuring, he is optimistic about Parsons’ participation in upcoming voluntary workouts. Recent high-value contracts for players highlight the competitive landscape for contracts in the NFL.
PALM BEACH, Fla. — Jerry Jones, the owner and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys, is optimistic that an agreement with star pass rusher Micah Parsons is on the horizon.
Jones shared that Parsons reached out from Abu Dhabi to coordinate a meeting. Recently, they spent around “five or six hours” together in the owner’s office at The Star in Frisco, Texas, discussing a potential long-term extension.
“We are mostly aligned on the issues. We’ve reviewed everything,” Jones stated on Tuesday during the NFL’s annual meeting at The Breakers resort. “However, we still don’t have a finalized contract.”
Jones noted that they have made progress on the duration of the contract, guaranteed funds, and overall compensation.
So, what’s causing the delay?
The remaining details are now in the hands of Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones and Parsons’ agent, David Mulugheta.
Though this process might take time, Jerry Jones emphasized that the current situation is significantly more advanced than negotiations with wide receiver CeeDee Lamb last offseason, who missed the offseason program and much of training camp before signing a four-year, $136 million deal in August.
“I’m the one who has to sign the check, and Micah is the one who must agree to it,” Jones explained. “The most straightforward approach involves the person writing the check and the one agreeing to it having a conversation.”
The Jones family has had direct discussions with players regarding contracts, as they did with icons like Deion Sanders, Emmitt Smith, Jason Witten, and Tony Romo. Agents may find this practice frustrating, but Jerry Jones maintains that it’s not an issue.
“Are you serious? That’s not something to concern yourself with,” Jerry Jones stated. “Your focus should be on making everything work, and ensuring the player is fit and skilled enough for the compensation involved. The agent is irrelevant in this case. I don’t even know his name. I’m not trying to belittle his role, but this negotiation isn’t about the agent.”
Parsons defended Mulugheta on social media, declaring, “I will not engage in any negotiations without @DavidMulugheta! Having experts is essential. There’s no one I trust more for contract negotiations than David! No side deals in this process.”
Jones does not see the urgency in finalizing the deal, even going so far as to say it’s “absolutely nonessential for restructuring our salary cap for the next couple of years with Micah.”
Currently, Parsons is set to play on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract, and the Cowboys could apply the franchise tag on him in 2026.
Recently, the Las Vegas Raiders granted Maxx Crosby a three-year, $106.5 million extension, while the Cleveland Browns made Myles Garrett the highest-paid defensive player with a four-year extension worth $40 million annually. Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase just became the highest-paid non-quarterback at $40.25 million per year.
“My approach is tailored to my situation and the context of what I’m dealing with,” Jones said.
Earlier on Tuesday, coach Brian Schottenheimer expressed his expectation that Parsons will participate in the voluntary offseason program commencing Monday.
In the past two years, Parsons has not been a regular attendee, primarily training independently during early conditioning and organized team activities but has shown up for the mandatory June minicamp.
“Ultimately, this is a business, and given the financial figures involved—not just concerning Micah, but also other high-profile players—negotiations can take some time,” Schottenheimer remarked. “I’m confident. Micah has indicated he will be present, and it seems he wants to be. We all feel good about it. He’s an elite player, and we believe he is just beginning to reach his potential. I have no doubts about his participation.”
A contract extension would likely ensure Parsons’ involvement, particularly since the Cowboys include salary de-escalators in contracts for players who miss a specific percentage of offseason workouts.
The Cowboys have faced criticism for delaying contract negotiations in the past, notably with Dak Prescott and Lamb last year, but Jones believes that the timing hasn’t hampered their chances of signing other players.
“I’ve never encountered a situation where I wanted something and couldn’t make it happen. Never,” Jones concluded. “I’ll always find a way.”