Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has expressed his willingness to wait for Micah Parsons’ new contract, suggesting that the defensive end’s holdout is a normal part of the negotiation process.
In an interview with USA TODAY Sports, Jones compared Parsons to previous players like Emmitt Smith and Zack Martin, who also held out during contract negotiations in 1993 and 2020 respectively.
Jones also referenced Dak Prescott, the quarterback who played his rookie contract and was twice franchise-tagged before signing a four-year, $240 million deal. He mentioned that both Prescott and former defensive end Demarcus Lawrence were given opportunities to step out of their contracts and negotiate for extensions.
However, Jones has faced criticism from fans and skeptics about the Cowboys’ slow negotiations with key players, particularly Parsons. The team’s decision to exercise the fifth-year option on Parsons’ rookie contract, guaranteeing a $24.007 million salary for 2025, seems to have given him leverage in his negotiations.
Parsons is reportedly seeking a deal that could reset the market for defensive stars, but Jones has remained committed to playing it safe and waiting for the right moment to make a move.
“I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t do it that way,” Jones said, emphasizing the importance of getting the best value for the Cowboys. “I’ve seen players I wish we had renegotiated their contracts earlier and I’ve had several that I was sorry I renegotiated their contract earlier.”
Jones has been criticized for his handling of contract negotiations in the past, but he remains confident in his approach.
“This is really nothing new, at all, with Micah,” Jones said about Parsons’ trade request. “I’ve never forgotten all the things that can happen to you if you go too quick.”
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/columnist/bell/2025/08/04/exclusive-jerry-jones-micah-parsons-contract/85503105007