For the second year in a row, a contract negotiation is the biggest storyline surrounding the Dallas Cowboys just before the start of the regular season.
Unlike with Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, though, there is genuine fear among fans and team reporters about a deal with Micah Parsons getting done before the Sept. 4 opener against the Eagles.
That, of course, is exactly how Jerry Jones drew it up and his master plan was officially realized on Monday when the Bengals and star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson agreed to a $14 million raise for the 2025 season to get him back on the field. This means Parsons is now the last EDGE to get a deal this offseason.
Bengals' Trey Hendrickson deal proves Cowboys' Jerry Jones master plan worked
While this ensures that the Cowboys will continue to dominate national headlines, the much more important takeaway is this: all three star players who requested a trade from their respective organizations this offseason - Trey Hendrickson, Terry McLaurin and Myles Garrett - all ended up re-signing.
Henderson will make $30 million this year after his raise, McLaurin got a three-year, $96 million deal from the Commanders, and Garrett inked a four-year, $160 million extension with the Browns. If you needed any evidence that Parsons isn't going anywhere, look no further.
In another sign for optimism, Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs, who returned to practice on Monday, confirmed that Parsons' heart is still with Dallas despite the trade request.
"Most definitely," Diggs said when asked if Parsons still wants to be a Cowboy. "Like he said before, he plays the game for us - blood, sweat and tears. … I know for sure he wants to be out there with us and helping this team win."
But again, Jones is the ultimate winner in all of this. The Cowboys are going to be the last team to take care of their player. Because that's what always happens.
It’s not a “master” plan in football terms, but when it comes to making sure the Cowboys lead the A-block on national sports talk shows - looking at you, ESPN - Jerry nailed it. Just like he did with Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb around this time last year. It’s exhausting and detrimental to team success, but Jones is never going to stop riding that wave.