One of the top priorities the Dallas Cowboys have this offseason is giving star linebacker/pass rusher Micah Parsons a massive contract extension. The former first-round pick is entering the last year of his rookie deal, making this the perfect stage for an extension.
The Cowboys spent last offseason handing out contract extensions to veteran quarterback Dak Prescott and star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, so now it's Parsons’ turn to get paid.
Last week, Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News reported that the Cowboys reportedly held general conversations with the star pass rusher’s agents. Up to his point, no financials have been speculated on. But with Cleveland Browns superstar pass rusher Myles Garrett getting paid, the Cowboys might have cost themselves a few million dollars.
On Sunday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Garrett and the Browns agreed to a huge extension, including $123.5 million guaranteed. Garrett’s new contract also averages $40 million per year, making him the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history.
From trade to truce and beyond: the Browns and Myles Garrett reached agreement today on a record contract extension that averages $40 million per year and includes $123.5 million in guaranteed money and now makes him the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history, sources tell ESPN.… pic.twitter.com/scNWJH2vFX
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2025
That said, owner Jerry Jones and the Cowboys’ brass know the starting point is in negotiations with Parsons. Spotrac.com projected Parsons’ calculated market value as a four-year, $134M deal with a $33.7 million average annual salary.
With this latest news on Garrett, that projection is likely the floor involving a potential extension for Parsons. In December, the four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher said he doesn’t need to be the highest paid player.
"No, I don’t [need to be the highest-paid]. I don’t need 40, Parsons said (h/t Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram). It would be nice to be surrounded by good players. To me, having $40 million and being chipped every play and slid into 3-4 people, that doesn’t sound too fun to me."
Micah Parsons in December on his upcoming extension:
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) March 9, 2025
“No, I don’t [need to be the highest-paid]. I don’t need 40.”
“It would be nice to be surrounded by good players. To me, having $40 million and being chipped every play and slid into 3-4 people, that doesn’t sound too fun to… https://t.co/Pi0vnvLTXi
Given that Garrett just got paid and the Cowboys re-signed Osa Odighizuwa to a big four-year, $80 million extension, with $58 million guaranteed, Parsons is in his right to ask for $40M-plus per year or more from the team.
Since Dallas drafted Parsons with the No. 12 overall pick, he has been one of the premier pass rushers off the edge.
He has posted 177 quarterback pressures and 52.5 sacks in four seasons with the Cowboys. The former Penn State standout has been named to the Pro Bowl four times, first-team All-Pro twice, second-team All-Pro once, and won Defensive Rookie of the Year.
The Cowboys had the opportunity to get ahead of the market last year, but decided to get the Prescott and Lamb extensions out of the way first. Now Dallas has potentially screwed themselves heading into free agency by having to give out record-setting cash to Parsons.