Cleveland Browns star defensive end Myles Garrett signed a massive four-year contract extension this offseason that will pay him an average of $40 million per year. Garrett now believes fellow star defensive end Micah Parsons deserves a huge contract himself.
Garrett recently threw out the first pitch at a Texas Rangers game. He then told Abby Jones of DLLS Sports that Parsons deserves to get paid like one of the best players in the NFL.
Garrett is currently the highest-paid defender in the league, but Parsons could hold that title once he signs a new contract with the Cowboys.
“I think he deserves whatever he’s earned. I mean, the guy’s special,” Myles Garrett said. “Fortunately, I got the chance to train with him, and, you know, I’ve seen his work ethic. I’ve seen how he attacks the weights, running. You know, he’s 100 percent committed to his craft and getting better every day.
“And someone who produces on the field and has that level of dedication to the game, he should get every penny he’s owed.”
Micah Parsons is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is due for a big payday after proving that he is one of the top defenders in the NFL.
The former Penn State star was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2021 and has made the Pro Bowl all four of his seasons in the league.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport shared recently that he expects Parsons to end up as the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL.
Ja’Marr Chase currently holds that distinction after signing a four-year deal that pays him $40,250,000 per year this offseason.
“You take a landscape of these deals, you understand where things are, and it does make sense that Micah Parsons would be last,” Rapoport said. “I have no doubt that most of the other players, if they were to do interviews just like Myles Garrett, would at least acknowledge that it would make sense if Micah Parsons ended the offseason, began the season, as the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL.
“In fact, at this point, I would be surprised if it did not happen.”
Rapoport added that Parsons and the Cowboys, including owner Jerry Jones, did some negotiating earlier this offseason. While an agreement was not made, the numbers being discussed were reportedly massive.
“It is going to be a lot. In fact, they had some initial negotiations – not with his agent David Mulugheta but with Parsons himself – were high. Were really high,“ Rapoport said. ”A deal did not get done and they haven’t made progress since then, but [Micah Parsons] is going to make a lot, a lot of money.
“A young player in his prime, ready for a second contract, that makes sense.”
Micah Parsons was drafted by the Cowboys with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft after starring at Harrisburg High and Penn State.
He earned first-team All-Pro honors as a rookie after recording 20 tackles for loss and 13 sacks and has continued to be a difference-maker throughout his NFL career.