Dallas Cowboys, Micah Parsons
Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
The Dallas Cowboys have a penchant for dragging out negotiations on long-term deals with their star players. It’s what resulted in CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott landing two of the biggest contracts in NFL history and the strategy could put the franchise in a tough spot with Micah Parsons.
Entering March, the highest-paid edge rusher in the NFL (Nick Bosa) made $34 million per season. The next pass rusher was expected to clear that market, but analysts believed Dallas could save money long-term by signing Parsons to an extension as soon as possible.
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Instead, the two sides haven’t even made real progress in contract talks. Meanwhile, the price of extending Parsons has skyrocketed. The Maxx Crosby contract extension ($35.5 million AAV) and the Myles Garrett deal ($40 million AAV) have pushed Parsons’ asking price even higher.
Micah Parsons contract (Spotrac): $24.007 million cap hit in 2025, NFL free agent in 2026
With the All-Pro edge rusher now expected to command at least $40 million per season on a multi-year extension, NFL rumors have surfaced that Parsons could be traded. He would be worth multiple first-round picks and moving him would mean Dallas wouldn’t be spending more than $130 million per season on just three of its players.
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Reporting on SportsCenter, ESPN senior NFL writer Jeremy Fowler said that the Cowboys offseason moves have been made with a Parsons extension in mind. Dallas knows it has to “budget” around the mega deal and many around the NFL believe a deal gets done, with most executives around the league skeptical a trade happens.
Micah Parsons stats (ESPN): 23 QB hits, 12 TDLs, 12 sacks, 2 forced fumbles in 13 games
Fowler did note that “if the money gets so crazy that they can’t handle it” then it is possible Parsons could be traded. However, it’s not something under any consideration right now and the timeline for a potential extension is still 5-6 months.
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Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is once again poised to let contract negotiations drag out into training camp, meaning Parsons could exercise a hold-in until he gets a new deal. It could backfire, especially if the Pittsburgh Steelers extend T.J. Watt and push the market for Parsons’ new deal even higher. For now, though, Parsons is expected to remain in Dallas and get a multi-year extension before Week 1.