Week 1 for the Dallas Cowboys and the contract extension standoff with star pass rusher Micah Parsons has yet to find a solution. Moreover, the latest news surrounding where these two sides stand isn't ideal, and with only one preseason game left, Parsons not playing the opening game is a reality.
NFL insider Adam Schefter, speaking on ESPN Monday morning about the Cowboys and Parsons, jumped in when it was suggested this feels different from the team's usual performative moves.
"It is different," Schefter said (h/t RJ Ochoa of SB Nation). "It's gotten personal and they're no closer to a deal and there's no reason to think that the Dallas Cowboys and Micah Parsons will be able to work out a deal before the start of the regular season."
"Now again it's August 18th and sides always could come together. But we want to emphasize. There have been zero. Zero contract negotiations since late March and early April. Is that going to change all of a sudden? I don't think so."
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Parsons is in training camp and doing his part to help teammates, but eventually something has to give, and a resolution has to come. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones remains confident a deal will get done, which is why he brushed off the trade request.
Still, if Parsons isn’t in the starting lineup on Sept. 4 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Jones may have to recognize that the request is more than just a negotiating tactic.
Dallas have one more preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons on Friday and after that the contests start to count. The Cowboys would have a few days to work out an agreement with Parsons that has him ready for Week 1; if not, there will be a significant hole on their defense, which isn't ideal going up against the defending Super Bowl champions.