(Editor's Note: Time to check the mail! The DallasCowboys.com staff writers answer your questions here in 'Mailbag' presented by Miller Lite.)
Why are other "non-urgent" contracts being extended, and the one we're all waiting on is not getting done? – Bryan Scott/Glen Rock, PA
Nick: This is one is pretty simple. These deals are done because both sides wanted to get it done. I'm really not sure why this seems to be so hard for everyone to understand. If the Cowboys and Micah Parsons both wanted the same thing, the deal would get done. It's obviously way too far apart right now.
And that's how it was with Dak and CeeDee ... until they weren't. Things happen and priorities change for both sides and eventually enough is enough they come together. Right now, that's now where the Cowboys are with Micah Parsons.
Because when you ask this question, you're really talking about Micah. As for Jake Ferguson, the deal is done because that's what he wanted to do. Sure, he can bet on himself and try to catch 90 passes this year and then get a lot more money on the market next year. Or he can take the deal on the table and focus on football only. The Cowboys are in no hurry to sign Micah Parsons because he's in no hurry. And the two sides are too far apart. Eventually, they will both come together.
Kurt: Simply put, Jake Ferguson was ready to be paid. Sure, we'd all like to see Micah Parsons get his deal done, but if the Cowboys have a chance to take care of other needed business, they certainly shouldn't hold back.
We keep hearing complaints that the team needs to sign their drafted players earlier in the process. Why wait until the end, right? Well, they were able to work out a deal with a valued player that both sides seem happy about, so why the complaints? Dallas avoids free agency next year for a guy who has shown he can be a top-10 tight end in the league, while Ferguson can take the field this season knowing his financial future is secure.
Of course, this has become a bit of gamesmanship for the Cowboys in recent years. With one big contract still in negotiations, they've slipped in and signed someone else to a deal that may seem less important. We saw it in 2023 when Dallas inked Malik Hooker to an extension 10 days before Zack Martin ended his hold-in. And, of course, there were the signings of Jaylon Smith and La'el Collins in 2019 when everyone was worrying about Ezekiel Elliott ending his holdout, which he eventually did.
You might say it's a friendly reminder from your Cowboys that they're open for business. They're ready and willing to work this out with Parsons, but they need his side to work with them as well. So sure, it's all got our stress levels about the upcoming season a little higher; however, in the end those star players basically got what they wanted, and I suspect Parsons will too. This contract will get done … at least I hope so.
The TV begin a new week in Oxnard, Cali. for training camp.
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