Jerry Jones' blunt message amid Micah Parsons contract talks.
Jerry Jones Sends Blunt Micah Parsons Message Amid Cowboys Contract Talks originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
There are several big questions facing the Dallas Cowboys heading into the 2025 season, with one of the biggest being whether or not they will pay EDGE Micah Parsons and if they do, how much will it be?
Of course, it's become a common theme among players in search of a new contract to sit out certain offseason activities or even regular-season games, with one great example being Cincinnati Bengals defensive end who skipped the team's mandatory minicamp.
However, that hasn't been the case for Parsons, who is in Oxnard, California, for the Cowboys' training camp on Monday, which is something owner Jerry Jones addressed when speaking to reporters.
"Leadership is really big and leadership exhibits itself in negotiations," Jones said. "I'm appreciative of Micah being here. I am."
Jerry Jones on Micah Parsons being in Oxnard while contract negotiations continue: "Leadership is really big and leadership exhibits itself in negotiations.
— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) July 21, 2025
"I'm appreciative of Micah being here. I am."#Cowboys
Of course, hearing that kind of statement can be seen as a positive sign, considering NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Parsons and the Cowboys have discussed a contract that "will make him, no doubt, the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL."
That means he would exceed Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt's yearly salary of $41 million as part of his three-year $123 million deal, with Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News suggesting the total value could be greater than $200 million.
It's not as though Parsons is unworthy of a payday like that, because in four years, he's accumulated 256 tackles, 52.5 sacks, 63 tackles for loss, 112 quarterback hits, 177 pressures, 61 hurries and 59 quarterback knockdowns.
Combining that with four Pro Bowls, winning Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2021, two First-Team All-Pro selections and three finishes within the top three of Defensive Player of the Year, there's no doubt he's established himself as one of the NFL's best players.
However, it will remain to be seen if Jones and the Cowboys are willing to shell out that kind, but if they don't, there's no doubt several other teams would jump at the opportunity to land Parsons as he's set to become a free agent at the end of the season.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Football
