Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons warms up on exercise bike during pregame warmups at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, August 17, 2024. The Cowboys face the Las Vegas Raiders in a preseason game.(Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)
The Dallas Cowboys have not held contract talks with star pass rusher Micah Parsons about an extension, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Dallas Morning News.
Parsons enters the final year of his five-year rookie contract scheduled to make $24.007 million. Team officials typically begin contract talks with player agents at the NFL scouting combine, which starts Monday in Indianapolis.
Parsons, a four-time Pro Bowler who has twice been named to the All-Pro team, has 52.5 sacks in four seasons. He’s considered one of the top pass rushers in the NFL.
This is the biggest contract decision the team will have to make this offseason. It’s also the second consecutive year where the team most likely will sign a player to one of the largest contracts in the league.
Team officials have expressed strong interest in extending Parsons, with team owner Jerry Jones saying he might get a large contract extension.
Parsons has repeatedly said he would like to get an extension sooner rather than later to avoid a possible holdout, something the Cowboys dealt with last summer with receiver CeeDee Lamb and the previous year with guard Zack Martin, who this week informed the club of his intention to retire.
Both players received raises.
“I’m going to try and work with them as much as possible to help them attack free agency,” Parsons said in December. “I want to be back with this team. This offseason, I want to be here. I want to get these guys right. I want to take big steps, so hopefully it can be done sooner than later so we can attack the offseason.”
The Cowboys have a new head coach in Brian Schottenheimer, and under NFL rules offseason programs can begin April 7, up to two weeks earlier than teams with a returning coach. Parsons normally works out away from the team in the offseason, only attending mandatory events such as the veteran minicamp. Team officials are usually in communication with Parsons during that time.
It’s unclear if Parsons will skip voluntary offseason workouts and mandatory sessions, which include training camp, if he doesn’t get an extension.
With news that the NFL salary cap will increase to between $277 million and $281.5 million, Parsons reacted positively on X in an assumption the added space opens the door for more money for himself and other free agents.
Parsons has also indicated he doesn’t have to become the highest-paid player at his position. However, the market could dictate what he’ll receive.
Before the start of the 2023 season, Nick Bosa of the 49ers became the highest-paid pass rusher in the NFL after signing a five-year, $170 million deal, averaging $34 million. Bosa has $122.5 million in guarantees.
Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson signed a four-year, $140 million deal last summer, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league. He averages $35 million per season and has $110 million in guarantees.
The Cowboys already have the highest-paid player in the league in quarterback Dak Prescott, who averages $60 million per season.