The Dallas Cowboys have conducted themselves well this offseason. That isn't saying much given their reputation, but they have certainly been more active compared to previous years.
While there are still some intriguing free agents remaining, the best players are long gone. A "splash" is more likely to happen via trade, akin to two years ago when the Cowboys traded for Brandin Cooks and Stephon Gilmore for a couple of day three draft picks.
While fans wait in earnest for Dallas to make a big move, Micah Parsons' contract will be the biggest talking point in these parts until he signs on the dotted line.
Parsons has been adamant about wanting to sign his extension early to help the team spend money, both in terms of re-signing players and signing external free agents. Unfortunately, the Joneses have not cooperated.
Cowboys are predictably dragging their feet with Micah Parsons' contract extension
Jane Slater of NFL Network noted that communication between the Cowboys and Parsons has started, but "meaningful talks" have not begun. Slater added that it could get done "soon" but she reached out to two sources who implied negotiations are still in the infancy stages.
While there is chatter on Twitter about Micah Parsons and a contract extension being finalized, I checked. Not only is it NOT done but what would be characterized as meaningful talks haven’t even begun yet per two sources informed.
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) March 19, 2025
This story is all-too familiar for Cowboys fans.
Last offseason, Dallas waited until the eleventh hour to finalize extensions for Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. Both Prescott and Lamb should have been signed in 2023, and yet the front office had Lamb miss all of 2024 training camp waiting for his deal. Meanwhile, Prescott's contract got done literally hours before the team kicked off against the Browns in Week 1.
RELATED: Micah Parsons' agent sends clear message to Cowboys with record-setting CB deal
No front office in the NFL embraces the "deadlines make deals" slogan more than the Joneses. Any trade chatter surrounding Parsons is complete nonsense, but the Joneses are unfairly subjecting their superstar pass rusher to that discourse by dragging this out.
Two non-quarterbacks - Browns pass rusher Myles Garrett and Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase - have signed for at least $40 million per year this offseason.
It's unrealistic that another non-QB reaches the $40 million threshold, but other edge rushers are due for extensions. That list includes Trey Hendrickson, T.J. Watt and Aidan Hutchinson. While great players, Parsons is better than all of them. You know how this works. Parsons' price will only grow higher if they sign before him. He has all the leverage.
The baseline for a Parsons extension was set by Garrett and then again by Chase. There is no reason negotiations should last another week. Offer Parsons $40.5 million per year, or thereabouts, and $90 million fully guaranteed and let's party.