Training Camps Open With Cowboys Drama, Big Storylines Across NFL

Summary:

• Owner and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys, Jerry Jones, insists he’s “not at all” frustrated with Micah Parsons’ contract talks.
  However, the star player retweeted criticism after Jones questioned his durability earlier this week.
  Around the league, QB battles in Cleveland, Minnesota, and New York headline early camp storylines.

The Dallas Cowboys training camp officially opened Monday in Oxnard ahead of the new 2025 NFL season, and owner Jerry Jones wasted no time making headlines.

The 82-year-old billionaire businessman with a net worth of $17.6 billion, according to Forbes, delivered a surprising and confusing mix of remarks aimed at a few of his star players during his first press conference of the season.

The list included Micah Parsons (edge defender), Dak Prescott (QB), Trevon Diggs (cornerback) and Terence Steele (offensive tackle). As disclosed by Jerry and his son Stephen, no talks have been held with Micah Parsons’ agent, as the general manager claimed a prior agreement had been reached directly with the star player last March.

Asked about the lack of a deal, Jones said that he was “not surprised” and called it “not negative at all”.

His comments were received poorly, as missed games by Parsons and Prescott and hasty extensions for Diggs and Steele were also pointed out.

“Just because we sign [Parsons] doesn’t mean we’re going to have him”, Jones added while mistakenly saying the player had missed six games instead of four.

Jones downplayed the ongoing contract standoff with linebacker Micah Parsons, insisting he’s “not at all” frustrated.

I’m appreciative of Micah [Parsons] being here. Not the least concerned about any ‘dangling participles’ on contracts. We went over every possible detail you could go over and had [an] agreement during a face-to-face meeting back in March

Yet, Parsons didn’t exactly seem to agree. After the press conference, he reposted a tweet from J.J. Watt that mocked Jerry’s comments, which had lumped together concerns about Parsons, Dak Prescott, Trevon Diggs, and Terence Steele.

The standoff seems partly rooted in Jones and son Stephen bypassing Parsons’ agent, David Mulugheta.

Neither has spoken to him about a new deal, and Jerry sidestepped when asked why: “I sign the check. Period.” Stephen added bluntly, “Jerry doesn’t talk to agents”.

That hasn’t stopped the market from moving without Dallas. Earlier this month, Pittsburgh handed T.J. Watt a record-setting $123 million extension, a number Parsons’ camp is surely aware of.

As for whether Parsons might sit out or become a “hold-in” during camp, the Cowboys declined to speculate.

Jones also hinted at regrets about past moves, saying the team may have extended Diggs and Steele “too soon”, given their injury issues and inconsistent play.

As for urgency to wrap things up? “I don’t have that”, Jones explained, adding they “have a contract”.

Still, with the season fast approaching, it’s clear the tension between the team and its defensive superstar is far from settled.