Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said that he and linebacker Micah Parsons had agreed to contract extension terms in March, but the deal stalled after the involvement of Parsons’ agent. Speaking with Michael Irvin on his YouTube channel, Jones described the situation: “When we wanted to send the details to the agent, the agent told us to stick it up our ass (… ) Micah and I talked, and then we were going to send it over to the agent. We had our agreements on term, amount, guarantees, everything. We were going to send it over to the agent, and the agent said, ‘Don’t bother because we’ve got all that to negotiate.'”
Jones added: “Well, I’d already negotiated. I already moved off my mark on several areas. So, the issue, very frankly, is we’ve had the negotiation in my mind and the agent’s trying to get his nose in it right now and try to come in there and improve off the mark that we already set.”
According to Jones, his proposal would have made Parsons “the highest-paid non-quarterback in terms of guaranteed money.” He stated: “The world would know that I want Micah if they knew what I had offered him.”
Parsons is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Earlier this month he requested a trade because of dissatisfaction with ongoing negotiations with team management. Previously, Jones said he did not view this trade request as serious.
Discussing how he sees Parsons’ future with Dallas given existing NFL contract rules, Jones referred back to past club practices: “The 82-year-old told Irvin that, in his mind, Parsons will be with Dallas for at least another three seasons because the team can franchise tag him twice.” He also referenced previous negotiations with quarterback Dak Prescott.
Jones continued: “My job is managing the check (… ) Micah’s got to do the playing. Where’s the least important part of this whole equation we’re talking about? What is the least incremental part of the whole equation? The attorney or the agent. He works for Micah. He’s not the principal here in any way. They’re in here to make their percentage. They’re in here to, basically, yes advise Micah (… ) So many times in this industry you have a different agenda going on with agents. They’re playing a game.”
Parsons has since removed references to Dallas from his X account following these developments.
His status for Week 1 remains uncertain; however head coach Brian Schottenheimer indicated on Wednesday that he was optimistic about Parsons’ availability.
