As the Cowboys progress in the offseason, pass rusher Micah Parsons is expected to ask for a $200 million contract extension that would become a record for a non-quarterback.
The request is in line with making him among the highest-paid players at his position. This offseason, Arlington native Myles Garrett signed a contract extension with Cleveland worth $160 million, the most for an edge rusher.
Cincinnati wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase has the highest average salary for a non-quarterback at 40.25 million. Parsons seeks more.
Parsons’ agent David Mulugheta and members of the Cowboys’ front office held preliminary discussions about a contract at the NFL scouting combine in late February. However, no serious talks have occurred since. A person with knowledge of the discussions told The Dallas Morning News that team owner Jerry Jones has had extensive talks with Parsons about his contract.
It’s not out of line for Jones to speak with players regarding their contract extensions. The Cowboys’ owner is in no rush to get a deal completed because of a desire to see what’s on the free-agent market and if another pass rusher gets a deal this offseason.
Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt, in the last year of his deal with a base salary of $21 million and a $30.4 million cap hit in 2025, is next in line.
From a cost perspective, it would seem logical the Cowboys would want to get Parsons’ deal done soon. With Jones in the lead during these discussions, that isn’t necessarily the case.
If anything, Jones is comfortable waiting to secure a deal with the Cowboys’ best defensive player. He reached contract extensions with wide receiver CeeDee Lamb last year after a training camp holdout and with quarterback Dak Prescott the morning of the 2024 regular season opener.
The threat of a holdout is real when it comes to Parsons. Several Cowboys players, including recently retired guard Zack Martin, resorted to those measures to get contract extensions or raises.
Yet, team officials believe Parsons’ comments late in the 2024 season, when he indicated he would report to voluntary workouts on time, are something he should honor.
A person with knowledge of his thinking said Parsons hasn’t decided whether he will report to voluntary workouts, which start April 7. In the last two years, Parsons has been an infrequent visitor to voluntary offseason workouts. He does report on time for the mandatory veteran minicamp and training camp, where he’s subject to fines if he misses time without an excused absence.
The Cowboys’ pass rusher has always been in shape and in tune with his defensive coordinator, Dan Quinn or Mike Zimmer.
For the third consecutive year, Parsons will have a new coordinator. This time it’s Matt Eberflus, who is establishing a relationship with the pass rusher. The Cowboys are mindful of Parsons’ value to the club as several coaches and teammates recently attended his Pins for a Purpose charity event in Frisco.
The contract Parsons commands isn’t out of line.
He has 52 ½ sacks in four seasons. In 13 games last season, he had 12 sacks and 23 quarterback hits. He missed four games with a sprained ankle.
The Cowboys know Parsons is a dangerous man on the field. While his leadership skills are progressing, he’s probably the best player on the team.
Prescott is the face of the franchise and sets the tone. Parsons’ increased value financially and on the field continues to rise.
What those final numbers look like is uncertain, but club officials expect a massive deal forthcoming.
Jones doesn’t believe waiting to get a deal done should be considered concerning. He has secured contract extensions with some of the franchise’s best players in training camp, or in the case of Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith, two weeks into a season.
Yet, the sooner a deal can be concluded the better because the price to sign Parsons continues to rise. As of now, Parsons’ goal of becoming a $200 million man is on hold.
