Any momentum in the contract extension negotiations between the Dallas Cowboys and superstar edge rusher Micah Parsons has come to a screeching halt.

Yes, Parsons attended voluntary workouts this week despite the ongoing negotiations … but that is expected as he enters into a new era of leadership.

It was also expected that the front office inks him a new deal soon – and not just because Micah showed up for work, but because he will continue to be one of the best defensive players in football on top of this leadership growth.

Those expectations have turned on their head after a shocking update from COO Stephen Jones that proves these talks are farther away from an agreement than we ever thought.

“Where the rub comes in is, we’re trying to not only keep guys like Dak (Prescott) and CeeDee (Lamb) and Micah, but we’re also trying to put a team around them that can compete and win championships,” Jones said on 105.3 The Fan Tuesday.

Understandably, roster construction can be tricky when contracts are expiring … but this particular contract should be on the top of the to-do list every day the paper is still dry.

Or else … it would be that much harder to win with any guys put on the roster if they aren’t surrounding that generational talent.

“We’re trying to get them to come a little our way, and take into account some of the things that are positive about playing for the Cowboys… playing in Texas, and those types of things. And obviously, they’re trying to maximize the value on their contract. So it’s, you know, it’s all well-meaning. It’s just a lot of times a journey to get there.”

Wait. Is Stephen, the COO of the world’s most valuable sports brand, referring to this situation in terms of a money crisis?

“Everybody knows that’s the case here,” he said of the plusses in Dallas. “The cost of living compared to some of these bigger cities and the NFL certainly comes into account. And, at the end of the day, we’re looking for some credit for that. The main reason for it is we’re going to spend to the cap, year in and year out, and over the course of time, we’re gonna spend our money to try to get as many good players as we can.

“That’s the art of the deal.”

If the Joneses idea of “the art of the deal” is pinching their pocketbooks at every dime Parsons could walk away with … there are much larger problems.

It is almost like they perceive Micah as something other than a three-time All Pro and somehow doesn’t deserve every penny in the bank.

Mind you, the organization still has north of $30 million in this offseason’s budget that has been left sitting for weeks without adding players – Micah or not.

It appears after reports of both parties (the Cowboys and Micah) being in agreement of most terms on an extension, the only thing left to figure out is how Parsons fits in the budget.

If the front office doesn’t figure this situation out soon, the Dallas Cowboys could have a serious Micah Parsons problem on their hands … and losing him would create even more.

Now it’s only a matter of time before this “journey” reaches some sort of destination.