The Dallas Cowboys have some issues that must be fixed before they get back to the level of their NFC East brethren, the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders. Dallas slipped to third in the division last season because of injuries, but more so because of one infallible sin: Dallas doesn’t aggressively chase needs in free agency.

Nor does the team try to lock up stars already under contract, at least not in a proactive manner.

The odd part is that owner/faux general manager Jerry Jones cares about money a great deal. Heck, the Cowboys’ stadium is a mecca for football fans, and it is great. But let’s be honest and say that part of the reason it was built was because it makes a lot of money for the team.

The Dallas Cowboys need to be a lot more aggressive about extending Micah Parsons

In other words, Jones likes his money, but he does not seem to know how to spend it wisely to improve the team. He chases names instead of positions. Keeping Dak Prescott? Great. But how about getting some proven talent at cornerback as well? Or maybe not waiting so long to keep other current key players?

Stephen Jones (your favorite co-owner and director of player personnel ever) might have just given away the farm to explain why the Cowboys do business the way they do, though, especially in terms of edge rusher Micah Parsons.

According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, Jones said, “A lot of it is just the negotiation itself. Some of them take longer than others. And we put about zero credibility or credence into people saying you wait too long.”

Of course, that’s silly. Wait long enough, and the star player could leave. This is especially true if the player, such as Parsons, does not think he has been treated well. He could go to another team simply to spite the Cowboys. While the team overpays for Prescott based on his injury history, Parsons awaits being potentially extended by the team.

The elite edge rusher is signed through 2025, but the team could franchise tag him in 2026. This is great for the short term, but players like to know they have long-term financial stability. Is Parsons going to be expensive? Of course, but he is also worth it.

As opposed to Prescott, the team and Cowboys fans know what Parsons is going to bring, and that is potentially all-time-level production. The Cowboys should be chasing him aggressively for an extension. Stephen and Jerry Jones should know this, but they are going to make their money anyway.

If Micah Parsons doesn’t get paid soon, he might choose to make his money elsewhere. And make no mistake: he will get paid. He will also make any team he plays on better, but due to the business practices of the Joneses, that team by 2027 might not be the Dallas Cowboys.