PLEASE SHUT UP

BY MIKE RIFKIN

We aren’t even a week into training camp and already both Jerry and Stephen Jones are putting their foot in their mouths on the same subject paying Micah Parsons. On Saturday in Oxnard, California fans were chanting for the Cowboys to pay Parsons. Stephen Jones was asked about this on Sunday and said “ We want to pay Micah too. He’s got to want to be paid.” I don’t consider myself a genius, but something tells me Parsons wants to get paid. Jerry Jones said to open camp even if they paid Parsons, it doesn’t mean they’ll have him because he missed four games last season. Jerry went on to say “ He made Dak Prescott the richest player in football and he missed two-thirds of the year.” Yes, Jerry injuries happen all the time and that is part of the risk when you sign guys to long term contracts.

I don’t understand what the Joneses are thinking here, there’s no reason to poke Parsons. Parsons is not holding out unlike receiver CeeDee Lamb last season. Speaking of Lamb, Jerry said on Sunday regarding the fans chanting for him to pay Parsons, “That was a feint little sound compared to the way they were hollering last year, Pay Lamb. But it was a big loud chant last year on Lamb.” 

Unlike Lamb, who held out last year before getting his contract, Parsons is at training camp this season. Now, where Jerry is right is the fact that Parsons did miss four games last season. Despite missing the four games Parsons was still tied for fifth in the league with 12 sacks. Also the 12 sacks were a career low for Parsons, who has 52.5 since being drafted 12th overall in 2021 by the Cowboys. The 52.5 sacks are fifth in the NFL only trailing Myles Garrett, TJ Watt, Trey Hendrickson, and Nick Bosa. Parsons has seen both Garrett and Watt get new deals this offseason, while Hendrickson sits at home and is waiting for the Bengals to pay him as well. 

If I was in the Parsons’ camp, I’m not sure I’m happy with how the Cowboys are handling this. Jerry mentioned during the season that he doesn’ t know Parsons’ agent. Now they’re talking openly about the contract and some other stuff. If I was Parsons I might just test the market, unless the Cowboys show him his true worth. Now, remember last season, the morning of week one the Cowboys made Dak the richest player in Football. Either way, if I’m a Cowboy fan I want my owner to shut up and pay the man.