Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones appeared on The Stephen A. Smith Show to discuss the stalled contract negotiations with star pass-rusher Micah Parsons, emphasizing that the deal is nearly complete but delayed by agent involvement. Jones expressed confidence in retaining Parsons while outlining the financial implications and past contract delays with other players.
Jerry Jones, the owner and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys, was the central figure in this interview, which took place on The Stephen A. Smith Show hosted by ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith. The discussion focused on Micah Parsons, the team’s key defensive player, and his agent, David Mulugheta, who represents Parsons in contract talks.
The interview occurred on August 22, 2025, as the Cowboys are thirteen days away from their first game of the 2025 NFL regular season. This timing is critical, as contract disputes can impact team preparation and performance heading into the season.
The conversation was broadcast on The Stephen A. Smith Show, a widely followed sports talk program that often features high-profile NFL figures. This platform allowed Jones to address public speculation directly and communicate his perspective to a broad audience of fans and analysts.
Jones participated in the interview to clarify the status of Parsons’ contract negotiations, which have been stalled for some time. He aimed to dispel rumors, apply pressure on Parsons and his agent to finalize the deal, and highlight the financial risks involved in high-value contracts based on his experiences with past players like Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb.
During the interview, Jones explained that he and Parsons have agreed on the length of the contract and the guaranteed money, which would make Parsons the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL with approximately $134.4 million in guarantees. However, Jones blamed Mulugheta for the delay, asserting that the agent’s need to ‘put his fingerprint on it’ is hindering progress. Jones suggested that direct negotiations between him and Parsons would be more efficient, but Parsons has instructed Jones not to contact him directly, leaving the agent as the intermediary.
The impact of this stalemate could be significant for the Cowboys. If not resolved, Parsons might consider holding out, which would weaken the team’s defense, as he has been one of the NFL’s top defensive players since his debut in 2021. Past contract delays with Prescott and Lamb have already cost the team millions, and a similar situation with Parsons could affect team morale, fan confidence, and on-field performance in the upcoming season.
Looking ahead, negotiations are expected to continue, with the possibility of the Cowboys using franchise tags on Parsons in 2026 and 2027 if no extension is reached. Jones remains optimistic that a deal will be done, but he acknowledged the team’s ability to control Parsons’ rights for three more seasons, albeit at a lower cost than the current offer. The resolution of this contract will be closely watched as the season approaches.