Skip Bayless, a longtime Dallas Cowboys supporter, has sparked debate over the ongoing Micah Parsons contract controversy by siding with team owner Jerry Jones in the negotiations. Despite acknowledging Parsons as one of the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL’s top defenders, Bayless expressed doubts over whether the linebacker deserves the highest salary among defensive players.
Bayless Challenges Parsons’ Value Amid Contract Talks
During a recent YouTube appearance, Bayless discussed Parsons’ contract situation, indicating he expects Jones to possibly sign Parsons to a groundbreaking deal, making him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history. However, Bayless firmly believes Parsons has not yet earned such a lucrative contract.
Bayless stated,
“proudly make his latest grandson, Micah Parsons, the highest-paid defensive player ever.”
Yet he added,
“obviously hasn’t remotely earned that kind of money.”
He warned that if Parsons receives that level of pay, he might fail to meet the expectations tied to the contract.
Describing Parsons further, Bayless said,
“What my eye test keeps telling me is that Micah Parsons… [has] turned into just another flashy, overhyped Dallas Cowboy superstar who’s about to be dramatically and comically and painfully and ultimately football-tragically overpaid.”
Bayless Recommends a Firm Approach from Jerry Jones
Bayless suggested that Jones should push back on Parsons by enforcing the current contract rather than rushing to offer a new deal. He recommended Jones “light a new fire” under Parsons by having him complete the final year on his rookie deal before applying the franchise tag.
Bayless explained,
“Jerry Jones should… use the system in place against Micah Parsons to put him back in his place… he should just smile and say, ‘we have a contract with Micah and we expect him to honor that contract.’ Yes, sir. Light a new fire under Micah Parsons by just making him play out the final year of his rookie deal, then… use the franchise tag.”
By designating Parsons as a defensive end when picking up his fifth-year option, Dallas would be able to use the franchise tag for that position in 2026. The franchise tag offers a one-year guaranteed contract based on the average salary of the top five players at the position, which could be around $22 million for defensive ends in 2025.
Questioning Parsons’ Leadership and Intangible Contributions
Micah Parsons has delivered impressive statistics, becoming the only player in NFL history to record at least 12 sacks and make the Pro Bowl in each of his first four seasons. Even during the injury-shortened 2024 season, Parsons reached 12 sacks and added 12 tackles for loss, making a strong case for top-tier defensive pay.
Despite these numbers, Bayless challenged Parsons’ impact beyond the field, particularly in terms of leadership within the Cowboys’ locker room. He argued that Parsons lacks the qualities of a team leader and spends as much energy on his weekly podcast as on improving his football skills.
Bayless stated,
“Micah doesn’t have the added value of being a team leader. He’s just not that. He’s at least as interested in doing that weekly podcast of his as he is winning and making himself the best football player he can be,”
adding,
“[And] he’s not a speech-maker [or] tone-setter… I’m sorry. I just don’t see it. I don’t see the intangibles and I don’t see enough of the tangibles.”
Leadership Debate and Contract Implications for Parsons
While some star players thrive as vocal leaders, others contribute in different ways. Parsons’ strong public stance on pushing for the playoffs, particularly in last year’s campaign without Dak Prescott, suggests a level of team leadership, whether seen or behind the scenes. Still, Bayless holds firm to his critical view of Parsons’ intangibles.
Although Parsons may not match the leadership style of iconic figures like Tom Brady, his on-field production remains undeniable. With Jerry Jones having previously delayed major contract decisions for other stars such as Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, the spotlight now turns to how Jones will approach Parsons’ contract extension moving forward.
Given the magnified expectations and the sizable salaries typically awarded to top defensive players, Jones faces a strategic decision: whether to follow Bayless’ advice and maintain contractual leverage or to offer Parsons a deal befitting his performance and status.