Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has never been one to follow the NFL’s standard playbook. Whether it’s marketing deals, league politics, or contract negotiations, Jones prefers to do things his own way.
However, his latest move — bypassing agents and negotiating directly with his stars — has Micah Parsons pushing back. With contract talks already tense, Jones’ reluctance to engage with Parsons’ agent, David Mulugheta, is only adding fuel to the fire.
Jerry Jones’ Negotiation Tactics Face Pushback from Micah Parsons
Jones is known for skirting, or challenging in court, a lot of the NFL’s traditions, norms, and rules. Going around player agents in contract negotiations is one of his favorites.
My thoughts on #Cowboys owner Jerry Jones once again trying to go around the agent — something he’s done many times before — this time doing it with Micah Parsons:
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) April 1, 2025
This time, it’s three-time All-Pro linebacker Parsons. While quarterback Tony Romo and tight end Jason Witten were reportedly fine with it, Parsons made it clear he is not and is letting everyone know it.
Facts!! David is the best and I will not be doing any deal without @DavidMulugheta involved! Like anyone with good sense I hired experts for a reason. There is no one I trust more when it comes to negotiating contracts than David! There will be no backdoors in this contract… https://t.co/nxKNSIXLvt
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) April 1, 2025
With the existing tensions surrounding the negotiations between the Cowboys and Parsons, it’s fair to say this only complicates matters. Jones is said to be offering over $40 million per year, but Parsons is upset because Jones is openly pretending not to know that his agent is David Mulugheta.
According to some reports, the Cowboys haven’t spoken to Mulugheta since the NFL Scouting Combine.
According to Jon Machota of The Athletic, Jones is dismissive of Parsons’ agent, saying, “Jerry Jones says he doesn’t worry about agents in contract talks. He’s been having conversations directly with Micah Parsons about his next deal. He said Micah is one of a very people who have his cell phone number.”
Jerry Jones says he doesn’t worry about agents in contract talks. He’s been having conversations directly with Micah Parsons about his next deal. He said Micah is one of a very few people who have his cell phone number pic.twitter.com/DCORGH7z7v
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) April 1, 2025
Additionally, per David Moore of The Dallas Morning News, Jones’ preferred method is to engage directly with the player. ”I’m the one who has to write the check and Micah is the one who has to agree to it,” Jones said. “That’s the straightest way to get there. That’s the principle that’s involved here.”
This lends a sheen of a personal, down home, folksy touch, but Jones has has a long history of dragging out negotiations until the bitter end. Emmitt Smith’s negotiations were famously dragged into the regular season in 1993. And he hasn’t just played hardball with players, he reportedly orchestrated dragging out negotiations with commissioner Roger Goodell in 2017.
Now it’s déjà vu all over again. Parsons will be entering the 2025 regular season at 26 years old and already has four Pro Bowl appearances on top of his multi-year All-Pro recognition. Add on another 52.5 career sacks, and it’s clear the Cowboys can’t let the cornerstone of their defense slip away.
Parsons’ desire to let a professional handle the intricacies of his contract make sense since Jones took a franchise worth $130 million dollars and turned it into the most valuable sports on Earth.
Sure, Lamar Jackson shrewdly negotiated his own contract with the Baltimore Ravens after patiently waiting out the market and media hysteria surrounding what he saw as his fair market value. However, in this case, Parsons is making it clear he doesn’t want any of this smoke.