Cowboys' Stephen Jones stuns fans with strange comments on Micah Parsons negotiations

The Dallas Cowboys have put on the pads. The team began practicing with pads on Sunday, but to no surprise, there was an obvious omission in practice.

Cowboys star linebacker Micah Parsons did not walk out of the locker room in Oxnard, California, with pads and a helmet on.

Parsons is in the middle of a contract negotiation with Cowboys ownership, and team EVP Stephen Jones spoke about the negotiations with the media at Sunday's practice.

MORE: Cowboys legend hypes up Jerry Jones' desire to win, fans don't buy it

In what sounded like a chip off the old block, Jones made a comment that will surely go viral regarding Parsons' potential new deal when asked about his thoughts on "Pay Micah" chants from fans during Saturday's practice.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones presents Oxnard mayor Luis McArthur with a $25,000 check at training camp opening ceremonies | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

"It doesn’t change anything. We want to pay Micah too," Jones said. "He’s gotta want to be paid."

The younger version of his father, Jerry, Stephen said that Parsons has to want to get paid if the two sides want to get a deal done this offseason.

What in the world does that even mean? Is that ownership talk for hoping your best player takes a discount?

MORE: Stephen Jones spits word salad on lack of Micah Parsons extension for Dallas Cowboys

There's no mistake; this is all on purpose by the Cowboys' front office. No other team in the league would want to drag along their best players like this every offseason, right?

Well, the Cincinnati Bengals might, but don't let Jerry and Stephen get wind of someone holding out longer than them.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones watches with grandson John Stephen Jones and son Stephen Jones. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Joneses. Keeping the Cowboys in the headlines for all the wrong reasons for my entire life.

— Enjoy free coverage of the Cowboys from Dallas Cowboys on SI —

Best highlights & videos from Dallas Cowboys training camp Day 4

Kaiir Elam continues to shine at Cowboys training camp, steals show in first weekend practice

Jerry Jones, Cowboys write massive check at camp, but not for Micah Parsons

Matt Eberflus defense keeps forcing turnovers, debuts epic 'Turnover Baby' celebration

Micah Parsons tries to impress Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders with failed splits

PHOTOS: Brenley Herrera, viral Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader rookie