At the beginning of April, a report emerged stating an in-person meeting between Micah Parsons and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones resulted in the framework of an extension agreement. Since then, it has become clear plenty of work still needs to be done, though, and the parties have not spoken directly in some time. 
“I haven’t talked with him in about four or five weeks and of course that’ll be necessary if he’s going to get a [new] contract,” Jones said of Parsons during this week’s owners meeting (via Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports). “But he’s got a contract. That’s the point — be sure and clear about that.”
Indeed, Parsons remains on track to collect $24.01MM in 2025 on his fifth-year option. That figure is guaranteed and represents his scheduled cap hit as things stand. Lowering his immediate cap charge could be attained with a long-term pact, one which will carry a much larger AAV. The four-time Pro Bowler could very well find himself as the league’s highest-paid defender, which would require surpassing Myles Garrett‘s $40MM-per-year Browns pact. Topping the deal Ja’Marr Chase inked with the Bengals ($41.25MM anually) would make Parsons the league’s highest earner for non-quarterbacks.
In the absence of an extension agreement, Parsons’ participation in voluntary spring workouts was a talking point. The 25-year-old was in attendance for the start of Dallas’ offseason program, which marked the beginning of new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus‘ scheme install. As for the opening days of OTAs, first-time head coach Brian Schottenheimer said (via Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News) Parsons was present on Monday. That was not the case the following day, though, as noted by DLLS’ Clarence Hill Jr.
Schottenheimer has spoken publicly on a number of occasions about the importance of Parsons taking part in spring practice in advance of mandatory minicamp next month and training camp during the summer. Hill notes it is unclear if the two-time All-Pro participated in on-field work Monday or if his attendance simply took the form of meetings.
Parsons aims to have his extension in hand in time for training camp, and if that does not prove to be the case the possibility of a hold-in will loom. Time remains for a deal to be reached, but a gap exists between the asking price from the former Defensive Rookie of the Year’s camp and what Dallas has been prepared to offer so far. Based on Jones’ remarks, the Cowboys – a team regularly criticized for its pace with respect to working out long-term deals – are not on the verge of ensuring Parsons’ post-2025 future.