Micah Parsons isn't the first player Jerry Jones discussed contracts with; he won't be the last one.
Micah Parsons: Not First or Last in Jerry Jones' Contract JourneyIn the world of NFL negotiations, Micah Parsons stands out as a player who didn’t come off as the first or last to engage with Jerry Jones, the team’s general manager. His story mirrors that of Tony Romo—two of the most famous players on the Dallas Cowboys’ roster. Both Parsons and Romo won trade requests from Jones during their time at his command, making them two of the last four contracts to feature these players.
### Key Points About Micah Parsons
- Not First: Micah Parsons didn’t take on the contract request before whom he was first. Before him were Tony Romo and other notable players like Matt completed, who both expressed concerns about how they might be valued by the Dallas Cowboys.
- Last Contract for Himself: Despite this, Parsons ended up securing the last contract with Jones. He became a franchise quarterback in August 2015 after his role as a tight end during the 2014 season.
- The Last Trade Request: His last request came in May 2014 when he was negotiating a contract with Dallas, and he wanted to talk about acquiring a player who would fill in for an incoming team’s star quarterback. The deal went through, and he became the first player in Dallas Cowboys history to serve as a franchise quarterback.
### Key Points About Tony Romo
- Not Last: While he didn’t take on the contract request before whom he was last, Romo did come off as one of the “last” players for Jones. He had been a tight end since 2010 and became a star at the Cowboys in his final season.
- trade Request: In 2014, during his last contract negotiations, Romo expressed concerns about how the Dallas Cowboys would value him to retain him as a toptight end for years to come. He requested a potential swap with the team’s draft pick.
### The Shakedown Feel Joke
Tony Romo, in particular, was quick to bring up his trade request to Jones and joke about it: *"How did he get shacked? How could he have done that?"* This humor reflects both his frustration over the Dallas Cowboys' willingness to pay a star tight end for their existing player and his own concerns about how the Cowboys would value him. Both players felt they were undervalued, but with the team’s ability to take risks, they accepted the deals.
### The Impact of These Contracts
For the Dallas Cowboys, Parsons’ and Romo’s contracts weren’t just personal to these two players; they were a significant step in their professional careers. Parson’s contract led him to become a franchise quarterback, which is a huge step for someone who had been on that path earlier in his career. Similarly, Romo’s contract brought him from tight end to becoming one of the NFL’s most productive receivers in the 2014–15 season.
### Conclusion
Micah Parsons and Tony Romo didn’t take on the first or last contracts with Jerry Jones—both were just two players out of a possible four. This narrative underscores the dynamic nature of negotiations, where players feel valued even as they grow older and their roles evolve. Their contributions have left an indelible mark on the Dallas Cowboys, and while there are other players in the future, these two serve as pillars for the team’s success.
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