Jimmy Johnson Reacts to Cowboys Contract Troubles

In Jimmy Johnson's very first year as the "co-architect'' of the Dallas Cowboys, he was as fully involved in "jocks as socks'' as was owner Jerry Jones.

Their partnership even extended into Johnson sitting in on contract negotiations, something he quickly learned was an ill-fitting role, as he later told me.

"In the morning, I'm in a meeting room and I've got to tell a player he's not good enough for more money,'' the coach said, "and then in the afternoon I'm out on the practice field and I've got to go tell him he's great enough to win the Super Bowl?

"No thanks.''

Fast-forward 35 years, and Johnson is now in the catbird seat, the Super Bowl-winning Hall-of-Fame coach not at all rooting against Jerry as the owner and his front office try to figure out a similar juggling act - but nevertheless serving up a critique of the setup.

The Cowboys have built a star-studded roster featuring an MVP candidate in Dak Prescott and an All-Pro in CeeDee Lamb and an All-World defender in Micah Parsons, all of whom can argue they deserve "highest-paid-ever'' deals.

And Jerry and Stephen Jones are trying to argue them down.

"Well,'' Jimmy said, "Jerry is “in a bind” with these contracts. He’s got three players that want to be the highest-paid player at their position. ...

"He made a mistake by not re-signing them earlier than what he’s been doing right now.”

Related: 'Sick & Tired!' Emmitt Rips Cowboys on Dak & CeeDee: 'Fan Fatigue!'

In fairness, the Cowboys have made efforts to sign Dak and Lamb. They have made offers. The other sides, however, have yet to "tango.'' Nevertheless, there is little argument that the Joneses could've been more proactive and more aggressive here.

Can Dallas do these two deals (Dak and Lamb) now, and do Micah later? Mathematically, cap-wise, the answer is "yes.''

But are they presently "in a bind,'' as Jimmy says? And more, even after they sign all three, assuming they do, could they be "in a bind'' again because of the cap percentage assigned to just three guys?

That answer - a subject for another day - could also frankly be "yes.''