Cowboys Offer 'Meaningful' Micah Parsons Contract Proposals Per Sources

FRISCO - Micah Parsons, we reported last week, has been involved in contract talks with Dallas Cowboys owners Jerry and Stephen Jones and has been involved to such a degree that "contract proposals have been discussed,'' as a source put it to us then.

And now comes a second source who confirms that with CowboysCountry.com, along with a feeling of optimism that Parsons will eventually have himself a "Cowboys for Life'' deal that both makes him among the highest-paid players in NFL history (in the $40 million APY range) and allows the Joneses to feel the deal is somewhat "team-friendly.''

But what about NFL Network countering our report by claiming "no meaningful talks'' have occurred?

Chalk that up to matter of semantics.

It could be the view of someone involved in the discussions that there is a lack of "formality'' that can be characterized as less than "meaningful.'' For instance: CowboysCountry.com can report that the Cowboys front office has recently met with Parsons face-to-face and and discussed a future together.

If those discussions are informal in nature, are they therefore not "meaningful''?

Maybe in the eyes of some.

But make no mistake: The structure of a deal has been discussed - probably even multiple structures of multiple ideas. And a solution is almost surely on the horizon.

And when Parsons signs his massive extension - hopefully, for the sake of the vibe here in the building at The Star and for the sake of Cowboys Nation's psyche - he will become among the highest-paid non-quarterbacks in NFL history.

The two sides have inarguably moved from "preliminary'' talks (as of two weeks ago, per COO Stephen Jones' pronouncement) to a more focused exchange.

And it's pretense to suggest this is insignificant.

Parsons' estimated coming deal? Spotrac puts it at four years and $146.7 million. That's $37 million per year .... and while Micah has insisted he doesn't need to be No. 1 in non-QB salary (that number has now vaulted to $40 million plus) ... we bet that number is too low.

Would everybody be happy at five years and $200 million?

Last season, Parsons battled through injuries but still collected 43 total tackles to go along with 12 sacks (as always), two forced fumbles, and a defensive touchdown.

A healthy Micah, who'll turn 26 in May, figures to be an NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate for most of the rest of his career - and surely for the next four years (or more) while working under the terms of this inevitable new contract.

Parsons has no desire to leave Dallas and has not demonstrated any willingness to use incendiary threats to get his way. He's called Jerry "my dawg,'' a suggestion that there is trust here ... and that there is a business partnership brewing here.

And when it happens? Every bit of it, we can all agree, will be defined as "meaningful.''