Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Stephen A Smith Slams Cowboys Co-Owner Stephen Jones for His ‘Egregious’ Micah Parsons Contract Extension Statement

Like father like son - Stephen Jones atrocious statement generates backlash!

Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

It’s the ongoing contract saga from last year’s offseason that just doesn’t seem to get finalized. One of the biggest stars on the Dallas Cowboys roster, and certainly the most important player on defense, Micah Parsons’ contract extension talks continue to make headlines.

Parsons, who is currently at training camp and not holding out despite the lack of effort from the Cowboys’ front office to close his contract, has the fan base on his side.

At another media session where fans were allowed to catch the team’s training sessions, they made their opinion clear by asking the owners to pay Parsons.

The best pressure rate in the NFL since 2021:

Micah Parsons – 19.7% ⭐ pic.twitter.com/NQZlMHJDt1
— PFF (@PFF) July 26, 2025

Jerry Jones and Stephen Jones’ Comments on Parsons’ Contract Extension

Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones is known for his controversial statements every now and then, and his unique ways of approaching player extensions. Jones has been known to not pay his top stars until it is almost too late, by which time the market has risen significantly.

However, it was his latest comments and those of his son and co-owner Stephen Jones that have caused another stir not only among the franchise’s fan base but in the NFL media as well. Jones mentioned that the chants of “Pay Micah” were nothing compared to their chants of “Pay Lamb” from last year.

“I heard it light, but not compared to how I heard them say pay lamb last year.” That was a faint little sound compared to the way they were hollering last year. Pay lamb.”

On the other hand, it was Stephen Jones’ comments that drew the most ire as he suggested that the Cowboys are willing to pay their star defender, but he has to want it as well. This statement has been hailed as ignorant and received plenty of backlash within the NFL community.

“It doesn’t change anything. We want to pay Micah, too. He’s got to want to be paid, too.”

Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones on the fans yelling to pay Micah Parsons: “It doesn’t change anything. We want to pay Micah too. He’s gotta want to be paid.” pic.twitter.com/spJn9leRQV
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) July 27, 2025

Stephen A Smith Sounds Off on Stephen Jones

Co-host of ESPN’s First Take, Stephen A Smith was one of those in the media to lash out against the Cowboys’ co-owner for such an uninformed statement. Parsons is considered to be amongst the top pass rushers in the league and has all the stats to back his claim.

Despite being consistent throughout the first four seasons in the league, the 4-time Pro Bowler has not yet received an offer worthy of his production and skill set. Stephen A Smith alluded to the same while calling Jones’ statement ignorant.

“That is one of the most ignorant statements I’ve ever heard come out of the mouth of an executive. He has to want to get paid. What is it about Micah Parsons that you have seen that has said he doesn’t want to get paid? Missed four games last year due to a high ankle sprain. The brother shows up. Played 50 of the first 51 games of his career.”

Stephen A Smith also hailed the contributions of Parsons since his rookie season, and compared him to the one and only Reggie White. The 2021 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year has had a minimum of 12 sacks each year, an amazing feat showcasing his importance to the team.

“What does 52 and a half sacks equate to over your first four years? What does 112 quarterback hits equate to over your first four years? What does your perennial Pro Bowl status equate to over four years? I mean, having at least 12 sacks over the last four seasons, the only person that has been in that realm, is the late great Reggie White.”

Stephen A. Smith on Stephen Jones saying Micah Parsons has "got to want to be paid too":

"That is one of the most ignorant statements I've ever heard come out of the mouth of an NFL executive… Stephen Jones, respect to you my brother, but if it wasn't for your daddy, would you… pic.twitter.com/5Ww7KkyTNf
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 28, 2025

Latest reports from earlier in the training camp seem to suggest that the Cowboys have not even started discussions with Parsons regarding an extension. Although that is quite shocking if true, the fan base would be livid if Dallas were to let Parsons leave as a free agent next season.

Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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I am a content writer for the NFL team, and joined The Playoffs after working with Sportskeeda and NFL Analysis as an NFL writer. After starting my professional career as a French-to-English translator, working as a content writer is a new adventure for me. I started out in the sports media field for two main reasons: my love for sports in general, especially the NFL, NBA, and Tennis, as well as my passion for writing. The best part of this job is that I get to write a variety of pieces with the freedom to explore content from various angles. It also enables me to stay up to date with the sporting world, which otherwise can be difficult to do in the day-to-day grind. In a world full of chaos, sports unite and entertain like nothing else!