In 2024, the Cowboys had two contract situations that loomed over the franchise for almost the entirety of the offseason. It was not those situations that were responsible for putting the entire Dallas season off kilter, but it is fair to say that neither situation helped the team much.
CeeDee Lamb not only was involved in a contract standoff with the team for all of training camp, but he stayed away from the club up until he finally signed, on August 27, 2024. That was in the final week of camp and just 12 days before the start of the season.
Quarterback Dak Prescott was in a different situation–he had a contract in place, but simply needed a new one or else he was eligible to head to free agency. Prescott, being under contract, went through camp and appeared to be ready to start the season without a new deal, until one was finally agreed upon on the day of the opener.
Micah Parsons‘ Cowboys situation is closer to that of Prescott. He is under contract for $24 million for next season, though he is believed to be up for a new deal that would top the $40 million per year mark. The only real question is timing–and it appears that Parsons might not have to wait as long as his other two star teammates did a year ago.
Micah Parsons Deal Happening ‘In the Coming Weeks’?
According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, while the Cowboys have been in no hurry to sign Parsons to a new contract, they’re apparently in line with the notion of keeping him from having to wait as long as Prescott and Lamb did.
According to Bleacher Report, Schefter said on Thursday on the “Get Up” morning show that “most people believe that a deal will get done for Micah Parsons at some point this summer.
“And when it does get done, it is expected to make him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history. It will be a huge number. It should surpass Myles Garrett. It’ll give Micah Parsons that distinction. And most people believe that deal will get done at some point here in the coming weeks.”
Cowboys training camp is scheduled to open on July 20. If the new deal happens in the coming weeks, presumably, Parsons will open camp with a new deal in his hand.
Cowboys Set to Pay Big
Parsons signed a four-year, $17 million contract when he entered the NFL in the 2021 draft, and was granted a $24 million 2025 salary when the Cowboys picked up his fifth-year option. But the option was just a formality–no one expects Parsons to play under that number.
Garrett agitated for a trade after the Browns’ miserable 2024 season and only agreed to stay in Cleveland after the team gave him a record four years, $160 million. Of that, almost $124 million is guaranteed, a sizable payout for a player who turns 30 this year. At 26, Parsons is in position to demand more than Garrett, even if he has said in the past that breaking a salary record is not a priority.
Only three other defenders are making more than $30 million annually, including Danielle Hunter’s $35.6 million, Raider star Maxx Crosby at $35.5 million and Nick Bosa of the 49ers at $34 million. Trey Hendrickson of the Bengals is holding out for a new contract, and TJ Watt of the Steelers could do likewise, though neither is expected to earn more than Parsons.
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