FRISCO — A few weeks ago, the Dallas Cowboys made it seem that they were on the doorstep with a contract extension for Micah Parsons. Several conversations with the team’s defensive star had the player and front office heading in the right direction.

The one problem? None of these conversations had materialized into a deal on paper and the Cowboys had not spoken to Parsons’ agent, David Mulughetta.

Owner and general manager Jerry Jones stoked the flames of this new rift, claiming he had no idea who the agent was.

This has left the parties at odds since that time. But …

One report has claimed there is a “handshake agreement” the Cowboys have in place with Parsons. And that can mean “labor peace” here, except for one problem. …

Parsons himself has vehemently denied that there is such an agreement, essentially calling the report a lie.

What we know to be factual? CowboysCountry.com was first to report (on March 23) that Jerry and Micah met privately at The Star at least three times early this offseason, and during those sessions, the idea of a five-year contract in the range of $200 million was broached.

Later, Jones himself essentially confirmed our report, saying, “Most of the issues, we’re in agreement on.”

That’s one thing.

The idea of a “handshake deal” is another as it represents either a lack of clarity in communication from some involved party, or … a complete misunderstanding of the situation and modern NFL business practices.

Did Jerry (or another Cowboys source) use the phrase “handshake deal”? Or did a reporter paraphrase the source far too loosely?

In any event, this chain of reactions threatens to poison its channel of information, reflecting poorly on the team and those around them.

There are certain protocols to be followed when it comes to contract negotiations in the modern era. Not even the savviest negotiators – if you consider Jerry Jones to be among them – are getting one up on players anymore

🧢🧢🧢🧢🧢 no kizzy https://t.co/fEnhVJv2wR

— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) May 16, 2025

There is nothing illegal about the owner talking to the player.

But there is, by rule, the necessity of the agent’s involvement here.

“Handshake deals” don’t count until Mulughetta says they do.

Here, it seems to us, somebody – Jerry or another team source or a reporter – got cute with a cliche.

We bet Cowboys Nation would prefer, when it comes to this and all of their major negotiations, that Dallas quit wasting time on the whispers and the cliches and the sweet nothings. …

And get busy getting the deal done.