Cleveland Browns star edge rusher Myles Garrett threw around trade demands and shot down invitations to the negotiating table for more than a month before inking the largest non-QB contract in NFL history on Sunday, potentially paving a path for Micah Parsons to do the same with the Dallas Cowboys.
Garrett signed a four-year deal worth $160 million on March 9 at the age of 29. Parsons, 25, is heading into his fifth NFL season and set to play on a team option for the price of $24 million. However, he is extension-eligible this offseason.
By resetting the market through playing hardball, Garrett probably upped the value of Parsons' long-term extension -- whenever it comes. A league-wide salary cap bump to nearly $280 million total in 2025, and potential future increases in the coming years, should help Parsons increase his number as well.
"Lol yooo wtf ," Parsons wrote on X following news of Garrett's deal.
And while Parson's reaction raised some eyebrows, the four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher has made it clear that he doesn't intend to follow Garrett's lead on demanding a trade in an attempt to get paid.
And Micah Parsons has made it simple…he doesn't plan on requesting a trade from the Cowboys as long as he gets his money.
Now we watch and wait. pic.twitter.com/DRt4xhIv0X
— Zach Gelb (@ZachGelb) March 9, 2025
"No, I don't plan on following suit," Garrett told Zach Gelb of making a similar play as Garrett. "As long as, you know, I get a deal done, I think I'll be pretty happy."
Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb has agreed to a restructure with the Cowboys that opened up $20 million in salary cap space this offseason, while quarterback Dak Prescott also restructured his contract to free up another $36.6 million.
Dallas could use a big chunk of that to lock Parsons in now, which would probably save the organization money as opposed to waiting a year or two and perhaps franchise tagging Parsons once before inking him long-term.
However, the Cowboys also have other needs across the roster, including at running back and along the offensive line if they hope to compete in the NFC East with the likes of the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders -- two teams that met in the NFC Championship in January before the Eagles went on to win the Super Bowl.
Related: Cowboys Predicted To Make 3 Key Offseason 'Super Bowl' Moves
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This story was originally published March 9, 2025 at 4:21 PM.