Mike Florio rebukes Jerry Jones for defying NFLPA rules on player negotiations

Ribin Peter

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Mike Florio rebukes Jerry Jones for defying NFLPA rules on player negotiations image

Mike Florio sharply criticized Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones for disregarding established NFL Players Association rules on contract negotiations with players. Florio's comments came after Jones claimed during Tuesday morning's appearance on "105.3 The Fan" that bypassing agents to negotiate directly with players does not violate the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

On NBC Sports' Pro Football Talk, Florio pointed out that the CBA "is toothless when it comes to punching the team in the face for violating that provision of the labor deal."

He highlighted the weak consequences for teams that disregard the rule: "The first offense results in no punishment. The second offense, and every offense thereafter, subjects the team to a fine of (for 2025) $62,000. With no progressive discipline."

Florio described the penalty as little more than a "parking ticket" and "peanuts" compared to the potential savings Jones seeks.

The analyst then criticized Jones' attitude, saying the Cowboys owner "doesn't care" about respecting the negotiation process because the punishments don't truly bite.

Florio strongly condemned Jones for continuing to "disrespect the process" and "repeatedly misstate and misinterpret the obligation of all teams to negotiate with the agents, not with the players." He questioned what the NFLPA would do to prevent Jones from blatantly ignoring the rules simply because he can.

Jerry Jones tried to negotiate a new contract with Micah Parsons without involving his agent, but the star edge rusher was firm on always including his representative. Everyone knows how that situation played out for the Cowboys.

Despite failing to reach a deal with Parsons, Jones will show no signs of backing down. Expect this approach to grab headlines again, likely with another star player in the future.

Ribin Peter

Ribin Peter is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. While he started as a soccer writer, he now covers college football and the NFL. Ribin is especially captivated by the adrenaline rush that football provides and sees every play and rivalry through an unbiased lens.