The Dallas Cowboys have never been afraid of some drama, and it's hard not to get excited about the offense bringing in a weapon as explosive as George Pickens. Wednesday's trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers is one that's going to excite Cowboys fans. But it shouldn't excite everyone.
Micah Parsons, who is never shy about voicing displeasure with the organization, could feel disrespected by this one.
Micah Parsons' Contract Clearly Not a Priority for the Cowboys
Parsons is, loudly and famously, due for a contract extension. The fifth-year option of his rookie deal is up at the end of the season, and it remains to be seen whether he'd be willing to play or would, as has become the custom for Cowboys stars, hold out. Smart money would certainly be on the holdout.
Pickens, too, is in the final year of his rookie contract. If the Cowboys want this trade to be more than a one-year rental, they'll be giving him a new contract. Joining those two in needing new contracts are Jake Ferguson and DaRon Bland.
The trend around the league has become extending your talented young players early, providing security for the player, avoiding the holdout risk, and getting a deal done before the market inevitably takes another jump and requires an even bigger contract. Jerry Jones has completely ignored this trend, and training camp holdouts in Dallas are now the norm.
The Cowboys do have the 10th-most cap space in the NFL, per Spotrac, so they're in a position to start offering some new deals. But with Parsons' unhappiness, he should be priority number one. His attitude may rub some fans the wrong way, but he's simply too impactful a defender to try playing chicken with.
Instead, he's been ignored, and now the Cowboys are sending a clear message that they're not worried about his contract situation by adding yet another player to the list for an extension at the same time.
Anyone who hoped that the Cowboys would have learned something from the Zack Martin and CeeDee Lamb contract drama of the last couple of years is going to be sorely disappointed. If anything, ownership seems to have taken away the lesson that they can play with fire even more. Let's hope the fans don't get burned.