Dallas Cowboys’ linebacker Micah Parsons is one of the preeminent defensive players in the NFL. His resume includes being named 2021 Defensive Rookie of the Year, being selected to the Pro Bowl four times, and being a two time All Pro selection. Parsons has also recorded 52.5 career sacks during his NFL career, which has spanned only four years. Parsons is currently playing under his rookie contract, which is about to expire after this upcoming season, when he is scheduled to earn $24.007 million. Parsons has seen Cleveland Browns’ defensive end Myles Garrett and Las Vegas Raiders’ Maxx Crosby each sign lucrative contract extensions to remain with their respective teams. Therefore, it’s only a matter of time when Parsons and Dallas will come to terms on a lucrative contract extension.
This space has maintained that such extensions aren’t always forthcoming. And Parsons is no exception. Cowboys’ Vice President Stephen Jones, son of team owner Jerry Jones, maintains that the team wants to pay Parsons. However, Stephen Jones told The Athletic’s Jon Machota that “He’s got to want to be paid.”
That particular statement raises this question: What does that mean exactly? At 26 years old, Parsons’ is in the prime of his career. He has proven to be one of the most dominant edge rushers in the NFL. In simplest terms, Parsons is a game changer who is on his way to becoming an NFL Hall of Famer if he continues to maintain his All-Pro status. Parsons is in Cowboys’ training camp getting ready for the 2025 season. Despite his impressive career statistics, Parsons and the Cowboys’ organization are still deadlocked in contract negotiations.
Dallas will eventually sign Parsons to the lucrative extension he’s been searching for. Jerry Jones is the most powerful owner in team sports, with the Cowboys’ franchise currently worth $10.1 billion. It would be foolish for Jerry Jones to let Parsons reach free agency after the 2025 season and sign a lucrative deal elsewhere. And you can bet that Stephen Jones’ comment will provide even more motivation for Parsons to reach his short term goal of getting a deal done.