Jerry Jones has never been shy about speaking his mind, but his latest comments about Micah Parsons have crossed a line that even seasoned NFL observers find troubling. While contract negotiations often play out in public, the Cowboys owner’s approach to handling his star pass rusher’s situation has drawn criticism from former players who see something deeper at work.
Why Is Richard Sherman Calling Out Jerry Jones?
The tension became impossible to ignore when five-time Pro Bowl cornerback Richard Sherman weighed in on the situation.
“I don’t mind Jerry talking in the media,” said five-time Pro Bowl cornerback Richard Sherman. “But it’s something weird about Dallas and their relationship with Micah Parsons. It’s almost like they don’t like him, or they feel like they know something the rest of us don’t.”
“It’s something weird about Dallas and their relationship with Micah Parsons… it’s almost like they don’t like him”@RSherman_25 slams Jerry Jones for his recent comments about his star player pic.twitter.com/5aiTRlVPL0
— Richard Sherman Podcast (@RShermanPodcast) July 24, 2025
Sherman’s frustration stems from Jones’ recent public comments about Parsons, who’s entering the final year of his rookie contract and seeking a long-term extension. The Cowboys’ owner’s approach has raised eyebrows across the league.
“Just because we sign [Parsons] doesn’t mean we’re going to have him; he was hurt six games last year,” Jones said of Parsons. “So, there’s a lot of things you can think about, just as the player does, when you’re thinking about committing and guaranteeing money.”
The comments didn’t stop there. Jones also mentioned quarterback Dak Prescott in his response, leading many to question why an owner would publicly undermine players still on his roster. Making matters worse, Jones overstated how many games Parsons actually missed in 2024.
“Jerry Jones just cannot help himself,” Sherman added. “There’s not enough issues with my team right now, so you know what I’m gonna do? I’m gonna create some.”
The criticism hits at something deeper than typical contract posturing. Parsons has established himself as one of the NFL’s elite defenders since entering the league in 2021 out of Penn State. In four NFL seasons, he’s earned four Pro Bowl selections and three All-Pro honors. He captured the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award in 2021 and has compiled 256 tackles (172 solo and 84 assists), 63 tackles for loss, 112 quarterback hits, 52.5 sacks, nine forced fumbles, and nine pass deflections in his career.
With that level of production, most would expect their organization to handle contract talks with more care. Instead, the Cowboys have created unnecessary drama around one of their most valuable assets.
What Contract Numbers Could Parsons Command?
This situation isn’t new territory for Dallas. The Cowboys have made a habit of waiting until the last possible moment to extend their star players. Both Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb endured similar contract disputes during the 2024 offseason. Both saw several other players at their respective positions sign new deals and drive up their prices before Dallas ultimately signed them to extensions shortly before the start of the season.
Micah Parsons on Jerry Jones’ comments yesterday:
“At the end of the day, I’m here for my teammates. I’m not here to please another grown man. … I’m here for these guys, I’m not here for him.”#DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/cY5iwjHsDH
— DLLS Cowboys (@DLLS_Cowboys) July 22, 2025
This offseason alone, Maxx Crosby, Danielle Hunter, Myles Garrett, and T.J. Watt all inked massive contract extensions, resetting the market for edge rushers. Each of them agreed to an extension north of the average annual value, north of where Nick Bosa lies at $34 million, which was the benchmark entering this offseason.
Meanwhile, Trey Hendrickson, the reigning NFL sack leader, remains in the final year of his contract and is also seeking an extension. How his situation resolves could further impact the market for elite pass rushers.
Watt’s recent extension provides the clearest comparison for what Parsons might expect. The Pittsburgh Steelers signed their star linebacker to a three-year, $123 million contract with $108 million guaranteed. Given that Parsons is 26 years old and arguably more versatile than the other players mentioned, this deal likely represents the floor for negotiations.
Parsons’ age works in his favor compared to the other recently extended players. He’s younger than Crosby, Hunter, Garrett, and Watt, which means he could command either a longer-term deal or position himself for another big payday down the road as the salary cap continues rising.
The question isn’t whether Parsons deserves a massive extension. His production speaks for itself. The real issue is whether the Cowboys’ public handling of the situation has damaged the relationship beyond repair, potentially forcing them to trade one of the league’s premier defensive talents or watch him leave in free agency.
