Micah Parsons isn't the first player Jerry Jones talked contracts with -- he won't be last

"FRISCO, Texas -- Micah Parsons isn't the first player whom Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones has talked to directly about a contract extension. He won't be the last. It has been a common practice for Jones and executive vice president Stephen Jones over the years to engage with their star players in hopes of convincing them to sign a new deal, and then finalizing the details with the player's agent."

"There is nothing in the collective bargaining agreement that explicitly prevents the discussions, although several agents said it is not a good look to circumvent them and go to the player who might not know all the details -- details that could end up costing the player money. While the agents work for the players, they are also protecting their own interests by making sure they are involved in all parts of the negotiation."

""We have -- not exaggerating -- probably 30 categories we use to evaluate a deal, whether it's new money, old money, guarantee structure, whatever," one agent, who has experience doing deals with the Cowboys, said. "That's too many moving parts, and it takes more than a handshake.""

Micah Parsons received direct contract-extension outreach from Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones, a tactic used repeatedly with star players. Jerry Jones and executive vice president Stephen Jones often engage players to persuade them toward new deals, then finalize terms with the player's agent. The collective bargaining agreement does not explicitly ban such direct discussions, but several agents consider bypassing agents a poor look and potentially costly for players who may lack full information. Agents emphasize their role in protecting players and their own interests by ensuring involvement in all negotiation parts.

Read at ESPN.com