“The @JimmyJohnson curse being lifted will make sure that doesn’t happen buddy,” former Dallas Cowboys player Michael Irvin had confidently stated in January last year, a few weeks after the former Cowboys head coach was finally inducted into the Ring of Honor. Fans rejoiced, players celebrated, and Jerry Jones probably heaved a sigh of relief, for it meant that a playoff comeback and possibly a Super Bowl could finally be in the picture. Unfortunately, soon enough, everyone realized there had been no curse in the first place.

The glaring example of this appeared in GM Jones’ decision-making. We all saw it last year with the unnecessary delays in shelling out Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb’s contract. While Prescott’s hold-up could still be justified given his worrying 2-5 post-season record, Lamb’s elite performance and a contract delay just didn’t sit right. Thankfully, both got their deals, but with a “price for delaying the process”, let alone a discount. Fast forward to 2025, and Jones might’ve just put the final nail in the coffin with a similar move. Unarguably, the most dominant player in his position is still waiting for his contract. And the wait might cost Dallas more than just money.

Micah Parsons is entering the final year of his rookie contract. He’s someone who is expected to be Dallas’s cornerstone, with the Cowboys having all the time in the world to renew him last offseason. However, as things stand, the star defender is still waiting despite being a two-time First Team All-Pro, a one-time Second Team All-Pro and a four-time Pro Bowler in four seasons with the team. Now that’s nothing but stupidity, as per ChatSports‘ NFL analyst Chase Senior. “[The] Dallas Cowboys continue to cost themselves millions and millions and millions of dollars because they won’t pay Micah Parsons,” he began as per a video snippet shared on X on July 18.

“And this offseason, we have seen the pass rusher market get reset on multiple occasions. Max Crosby paid. Danielle Hunter paid. Myles Garrett became the highest-paid non-quarterback in the history of the NFL not long ago…What happened yesterday? The Steelers signed TJ Watt to a historic contract. He now becomes the highest-paid non-quarterback in the history of the NFL…”

“Micah Parsons is younger than TJ Watt, he’s younger than Garrett. The Cowboys could have signed him to a contract last offseason between $33–35m. But Now they’re gonna have to overpay for Parsons in a way because he’s gonna become the highest paid non‑QB in the game,” the journalist said, before adding the final blow: “What has been Howie Roseman’s team-building strategy as far as contract extensions for his homegrown players? Sign them early, so that he can save money. The Cowboys, Jerry Jones, they would never. Because right now they are a dumb, idiotic organization.”

Notably, this is not the first time the team was criticized for delaying Parsons, who’s looking for a contract with an “annual average value over $40 million” per CBS Sports. ESPN‘s Mike Tannenbaum and former NFL WR-turned-analyst Harry Douglas went all out earlier this week. “It’s always some kind of chaos when it comes to contracts with the Dallas Cowboys. I will give Jerry [Jones] credit, he does pay his players, and as a former player, you love that. But at the same time, it’s two or three guys you could potentially keep on your roster or add to your roster if you do it at a time where it’s not urgent,” Douglas said.

“You look at the Philadelphia Eagles and the way they do things, they don’t wait until the last minute to pay their players. They do it beforehand so you don’t have these situations that the Dallas Cowboys find themselves in,” he added. Tannenbaum then said, “Clearly, if you go earlier, you save money and you get to keep more of the good players that you draft. To me, i don’t understand. If I’m in the Cowboy front office and I’m watching a guy like Micah Parsons — who we hit on — who is a great player and a game changer, what are we waiting for? Why is it in our benefit to wait?”

Cleary, Dallas has had more than enough time to lock this up. And if they did do it last offseason? They would have saved a chunk of their dollars and cents. According to analyst Paul Cortese, the Cowboys are now staring at a Micah Parsons price tag that’s $28–30 million higher than it would’ve been last year. Being the highest revenue-generating team shouldn’t allow you to make unnecessary splashes.

And when you get down to the details of TJ Watt’s contract? The situation would seem even crazier.

TJ Watt’s monumental extension and its ripples

Look, we all knew an extension was coming. The fans knew. The analysts did too. Watt simply isn’t a ‘holdout’ kind. We can see why. When Watt signed that three-year, $123 million extension with the Steelers on Thursday, he officially became the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history. That’s $108 million guaranteed. $41 million a year.

Something funny? This three-year contract almost racks up his brother, JJ Watt’s, lifetime earnings ($130 million). And JJ is very clearly…a little jealous. “I swear, if this guy even lets me begin to reach for my wallet at dinner...,” he wrote on X. Fair enough. JJ shouldn’t be taking his wallet out for anything when he’s with his brother.

This deal isn’t just a Dallas thing anymore. It revamped the entire market. He passed Myles Garrett’s $40 million per year deal from earlier this offseason and set a record for edge rushers. Garrett’s contract with the Browns runs through 2030 and totals over $160 million.

When you look at last season, you’d understand why the Steelers emptied their pockets for this extension. 11.5 sacks and six forced fumbles last season alone. He is a cornerstone, no doubt about it. But you cannot flat-out disregard his age. What happens if he has a fall off this season or even next season? It’s not uncommon at this age.

And Micah? He just got 30 million more in leverage. And he would make that count. Watt did all the talking for him. At the end, it all comes down to Jerry Jones and his poor decision-making. Because no matter how much revenue this team makes, they simply cannot afford to make these ‘idiotic’ decisions.