Micah Parsons is on his way to the bank, eagerly anticipating bringing a substantial bag with him. The financial reckoning is approaching for the Dallas Cowboys’ premier edge rusher, and the figure will only escalate over time. It’s already a significant price tag.
According to The Dallas Morning News, Parsons is targeting one of the most lucrative contracts in NFL history, aiming for a $200 million deal, which would set a record for a non-quarterback. The Cowboys reportedly had preliminary talks with Parsons’ agent, David Mulugheta, during the NFL combine, but there have been no further discussions since.
Team owner Jerry Jones has also reportedly spoken with Parsons about the contract. Delaying negotiations could be a risky move for the Cowboys. This offseason has seen numerous high-value contract extensions. The Las Vegas Raiders granted Maxx Crosby a three-year, $106.5 million contract, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history.
Myles Garrett then surpassed that with a four-year, $160 million megadeal with the Cleveland Browns. Ja’Marr Chase subsequently broke the record again when the Cincinnati Bengals signed him to a long-term contract worth $161 million over four years. It seems the Cowboys will need to top Chase’s record while finalizing the deal before other stars, like the Pittsburgh Steelers’ T.J. Watt, secure their positions.
From a positional perspective, Parsons is well-situated compared to Garrett in terms of age, being just 25 compared to Garrett’s 29. It remains uncertain if the edge rusher will hold out without an extension. Dallas successfully negotiated deals for Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb last offseason, but this one is expected to be even more costly—and rightly so.
Parsons has achieved at least 12 sacks in each of his four seasons, amassing 52.5 in 63 games, including 12 in just 13 games last season. One of the league’s top defenders is poised for a big payday. The only question is when it will happen and how much it will cost the Cowboys. After all, everything is bigger in Texas, especially the contracts.
