Every day the optics of the Dallas Cowboys’ head coaching search evolve with new wrinkles and twists. Last week, rumors speculating Deion Sanders’ interest caught fire before true candidates including Kellen Moore and Robert Saleh emerged from the pack.

As of Monday, Sanders is yet to interview like the other two, but somehow Brian Schottenheimer gained steam out of nowhere. It seems there will be no definite answer within the coming days as the Cowboys immerse themselves in the process.

Now this is certainly an impactful decision as the franchise selects a new leader to guide the team likely throughout the remainder of quarterback Dak Prescott’s prime years. But just as important as the coaching staff decisions are the lingering tasks with the roster.

That specifically points to the situation with defensive star Micah Parsons who is due a contract extension and a big payday this offseason. Parsons has quickly established himself as one of the most impactful players on either side of the ball and irreplaceable for this Cowboys’ defense.

His merits and ambition to represent this franchise make him the most important piece Dallas ensures they lock down this offseason though some have started rumors about trading him for a treasure trove of picks and assets expected in return.

Look no further than the words of former Cowboys’ head coach Jimmy Johnson on why that is a bad idea: “Parsons is such a great, great player,” Johnson said. “It’d have to be a boatload of picks to trade him. I wouldn’t want to get rid of him. He is their whole defense. He is a game-changer…you don’t want to get rid of a player that wins games for you.”

Jimmy hits the target here. The Cowboys cannot afford to trade a player like Parsons nor will they. Not only would they be hurting their chances of winning moving forward, but such a deal inhibits the ability of their next head coach to succeed from the start.

Last offseason, the Cowboys waited until the eleventh hour to strike deals with both Prescott and star receiver CeeDee Lamb. Perhaps Jerry Jones and his team believe that is still the way to go about things and this deal does not get finalized until late summer.

But once the Cowboys finalize their head coach of the future, that will become the primary focus of the offseason.