FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys, in the end, pay their own stars.
A lot.
Yes, under the "wait for the leaves to fall'' guidance of owner Jerry Jones, it often becomes an angst-filled process. But Jones has almost always - eventually - bent to the wishes of the player.
And some time in the coming weeks, edge rusher Micah Parsons will be that next player.
Right now, there is reportedly one major holdup toward a potential deal. ... though we might dispute the national media claim.
During an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, our respected colleague Tom Pelissero of NFL Network asserted that Parsons and the Cowboys know the “type of contract” that will be signed in terms of the average annual value.
So what's the one major holdup preventing a deal from getting done?
The reporter claims that contract length is the lone issue in the deal.
CowboysCountry.com reported more than two months ago that Parsons and Jones have mapped out what are planning on doing together. ... and that "contract length'' - at least at that time - was not an issue.
Again, what we have been reporting for months: Parsons is interested in signing a lengthy five-year deal at around $40 million per season with the $200 million total helping to make him the highest-paid non-QB ever.
And, Parsons has explained that to Jones.
And, Jones has acknowledged publicly that the two sides are on the same page in many ways.
We're not sure there is any logic to Dallas saying "no'' to a five-year deal, if that's what Micah wants. Nor do we think Dallas has a leg to stand on if it tries to pay Parsons anything less than the $40 mil APY, as that is obviously a sort of "going rate'' now.
Has Parsons changed his mind to wanting to eek a shorter extension? Not according to what we've been told.
In the end, the APY isn't that controversial anymore.
And the years? Dallas should be delighted if Micah wants a long-term deal.
That leaves one most logical final contractual holdup as we move toward reporting to training camp in Oxnard on July 21 ...
Guaranteed money.
