Aside from the splashy addition of George Pickens, the story of the Dallas Cowboys' offseason has been the lack of an extension for Micah Parsons. Each passing day Dallas chooses to wait on extending its star, the price continues to go in the wrong direction.
Furthering this was Sunday's surprise extension for tight end Jake Ferguson. According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the veteran pass-catcher signed a 4-year extension that includes $30 million in guarantees and is worth a total of $52 million.
The #Cowboys and standout TE Jake Ferguson have agreed to terms on a 4-year extension worth $52M in new money with $30M total guaranteed. The deal was done by agent Jack Bechta (@jackbechta).
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 27, 2025
Ferguson gets a $12M signing bonus. Dallas takes care of a young star. pic.twitter.com/Qd1zsVzTky
While locking Ferguson down is a solid move for the franchise, it isn't where the focus should be with Parsons entering a contract year.
Cowboys Continue to Fail Micah Parsons by Extending Jake Ferguson First
Extending Ferguson is a smart move that gives the Cowboys an offensive trio of Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Ferguson all under contract long-term. This level of stability is a positive development, but it continues to ignore where the team's priority should be.
Every single draft has a handful of TEs and receivers who are capable of making an instant impact. Teams aren't going to find another Parsons in most classes. The elite disruptor is in rare air when it comes to his ability and the impact he will have, no matter the chaos or talent around him.
With this in mind, it is frustrating that owner Jerry Jones and the Dallas front office are content to simply sit back and let the price continue to shoot up. Parsons is being a team player when he has every right to be angry about the situation. Instead, the defender is showing up to camp and getting ready to help the team chase its goals in the 2025 season. It is yet another example of what an awful decision the team has made by not locking this type of player down earlier.
Just this past offseason, the team has seen Parsons' price skyrocket thanks to extensions for Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt. Both deals have reset the market, and Parsons has every reason to believe his own should meet or surpass these standards.
Since debuting in 2021, the four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher has racked up 52.5 sacks, 172 solo tackles, nine forced fumbles (4 recoveries), and nine broken-up passes in 63 career starts.
Extending Ferguson is a win, but not the one Cowboys fans so desperately await. Letting Parsons continue to enter a contract year is dangerous not only for Parsons due to the high injury risks, but also for Dallas.
If the 2025 season begins without a deal and Parsons enjoys a career season, the pass rusher could easily opt to attempt to hit free agency and create a bidding war. No matter the scenario, nothing good will come from the Cowboys continuing to wait to pay their best player.