FRISCO – I’ve never quite understood the attraction of the mean-spirited practical joke intended to deceive rather than amuse …

And here we go again.

The exhausting saga that is the contract situation of Dallas Cowboys’ pass-rushing linebacker Micah Parsons will eventually come to a conclusion … and, I bet, one that pleases most everybody involved.

We were first to have reported that Micah and Jerry Jones have privately discussed the terms of a five-year deal totaling $200 million; Jones has since essentially confirmed our scoop on how some of the essentially factors in a deal are in place.

But it’s not done until it’s done.

And it’s certainly not done because one of those social-media “Fake Adam Schefter” accounts says it it.

Yes, Philadelphia Eagles stud Saquon Barkley is congratulating his old Penn State pal Micah about the apparent “five-year, $203.5 million extension that includes $147.5 million guaranteed.”

And yes, Cowboys teammate Sam Williams is reacting, too.

But it’s all fake. It’s not ESPN’s “Adam Schefter’s” account; it’s “Adam Schelfer.”

Is this funny? Who is giggling outside of the dope in his mom’s basement who is so proud to have lured thousand of NFL fans into his stupid lair?

What’s real?

With a contract set to make Micah the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, naturally, a deal of that magnitude takes time…but the longer it goes, the more nervous fans sit in their seats.

They want a Parsons deal as soon as possible.

And Cowboys COO Stephen Jones thinks something will get done…just not right now.

“I don’t comment on close or far away or any of that,” Jones said. “Those things, usually, when the right things come together and everybody’s ready to do a deal, then it happens. Certainly, we want Micah here, and he knows we want him here, and I think ultimately, we’ll get something done.”

So it appears that a contract will get done with Micah and the Cowboys, it will just take time. … with sources having told CowboysCountry.com that Jerry Jones and Micah have had discussions mentioning a deal for five years worth $200 million.

But as we saw last offseason with Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, these contract situations can be a distraction, and for a new leader of the locker room in Micah, no doubt, he wants to get his deal done before training camp so he can focus on football.

Whether that happens or not is unknown, but going by Stephen’s words, there is a positive thought to Parsons’ potential extension.

So it isn’t closer than it was a month ago, but the Cowboys want No. 11 to stick around. The best way to do that and eliminate all of these unnecessary headlines is to put pen to paper and sort out Micah’s future.

Which will happen in due time … just not imminently.

And certainly not when “Fake Adam Schefters” say it is so.