The Cowboys took plenty of heat for holding off on CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott extensions until late last summer. Micah Parsons‘ negotiations (or lack thereof) are reminding of Dallas’ 2024, though it is still early.
No substantive Parsons talks have commenced, and no offer is believed to be on the table from the Cowboys just yet. But Parsons has a big number in mind. The fifth-year edge rusher is believed to be pursuing a deal that would make him the NFL’s first $200MM defender, the Dallas Morning News’ Calvin Watkins reports. No non-quarterback has reached that number, though the Cowboys’ history would point to the team being interested — depending on term length.
[RELATED: Parsons Has ‘Plan In Place’ For Negotiations]
It is not known if the contract-year dynamo is targeting a four-year, $200MM pact — which would shatter the defender record Myles Garrett just set — or merely a five-year, $200MM deal that would match the Browns All-Pro for AAV. Parsons expressed interest last year in becoming the NFL’s highest-paid non-QB, even floating a $40MM-per-year number well before the EDGE market was close to that range.
It would stand to reason Parsons would set his sights on a $50MM-per-year extension to start negotiations, even if that proves unattainable. As of now, only quarterbacks are in the $50MM-AAV club. A three-time All-Pro, Parsons makes sense as the player who could take the defender market there. Even with the cap rising at a rapid rate during the 2020 CBA, the Cowboys are unlikely to be ready to raise the defender rate that high at this point.
Garrett secured $40MM per year despite being set to turn 30 in December. Parsons will be 26 in May. If the Cowboys can convince Parsons to accept a five-year deal, it would be in line with many of their big-ticket contract structures. Dallas has successfully managed to tie down stars to five- and even six-year deals, but the team could not do so with Lamb or Prescott, who each signed four-year extensions. As the cap keeps rising, it would make sense for Parsons to follow suit in an effort to be able to secure a top-market third contract when that time comes.
As for Parsons’ plans regarding voluntary offseason workouts without an extension, Watkins adds the 2021 first-rounder is undecided. Parsons has been an infrequent participant in the past, though he has always reported to minicamp. It would cost him barely $100K to skip the mandatory workout this year. If the Cowboys do not have him signed by June, a minicamp absence should probably be considered in play. Several players, including Lamb, have taken this step during extension talks in recent years. Zack Martin held out of training camp in 2023, and the Cowboys eventually caved by authorizing nearly $40MM guaranteed to close his contract. Those precedents are certainly relevant re: Parsons.
Prescott’s deal, thanks to historic leverage, came in $5MM (in terms of AAV) north of where the QB market had previously plateaued. Lamb is the NFL’s third-highest-paid wide receiver. The Cowboys have shot down Parsons trade rumors, though a December report suggested internal discussions about a potential trade occurred, and appear prepared to pay up — even if it will mean a historically top-heavy payroll. But their pattern of being late to the party regarding extensions could prove costly here.
Garrett already drove the market to $40MM per year — up from Maxx Crosby‘s $35.5MM number reached earlier this month — and T.J. Watt will naturally be interested in topping that. Aidan Hutchinson also should be considered likely to score a deal north of Garrett’s, seeing as he is going into an age-25 season. Those deals coming to pass would give Parsons more ammo. Though, Watt and Hutchinson not moving too far past $40MM per year would also provide the Cowboys with the ability to keep Parsons’ cost in a known neighborhood.
Paying all them huge contracts just to miss the playoffs 😂😂 over and over again. Then try and show garbage time stats as real stats
The Cowboys made the playoffs three of the last four years and it was when their quarterback was lost for the season. I mock the way they handle contracts, but come on.
No SB since the 90’s…..and how far did they advance in these last 3 of 4 playoff years?
How is Jerry hoing to navigate all of these egos that cost him boatload of cash with no SB appearance?
Dude says they miss the playoffs over and over again. They do not.
Let’s just say they miss what counts. Not even visit.
Jerry doesn’t want to see them (his star picks) play anywhere but Dallas. They know he’ll pay them what they want because of his ego and attachment. To spend ~50% of your payroll on 3 players is insane. Parsons may be the one worth signing of the three, despite his request. Prescott and Lamb are simply overpaid and Lamb can be replaced by a solid top draft pick.
If they hadn’t franchised Dak twice and dragged their feet on extending him twice, he’d be making no more money than guys like Lawrence and Love, which would be fine for his level. Lamb is an elite wide receiver, who again he should have locked up earlier. He is not easily replaceable. Keeping these guys isn’t the problem. Waiting to pay them is.
That’s spot on, Oof. If you want to keep a player, there is almost never any benefit to waiting to pay them. You’re better off topping the market now, otherwise you’re topping it down the road for substantially more money.
I can’t imagine any scenario where Dallas was having legitimate conversations about moving on from Prescott or Lamb, same as they’re going to pay Parsons. Jerry tries to play this shrewd negotiator though, and it just hurts that franchise. Lessons not learned.
Their repeated dilly dallying with Dak is the most costly, but the Lamb delays are weirder. What question did he not answer in his first three seasons in terms of being someone they would want to lock up?
I never understood the delays with Lamb, either. He was everything they needed from day one. Plus, you already paid your QB. If you’re going to pay your QB, you have to give him weapons. The whole thing was just odd.
With Prescott, I could at least see how Jerry might’ve been listening to the external noise. Not the wisest decision, but understandable. I can’t remember anyone having discussions that they shouldn’t pay Lamb at the time, though.
And the end result is no rings. You can’t pay three guys such a high percentage of the cap and expect to compete at the other positions unless your drafts are impeccable. Perhaps trading Lamb and net some picks while clearing salary would strengthen areas in need. The Prescott signing was a mistake before they even signed him.
Yeah man. Most teams haven’t won a Super Bowl this millennium. Some have never at all. I’m not saying the Cowboys haven’t disappointed—and I’ve been as critical of the way they handle contracts as anyone on here for several years now—but they’ve still won a lot of games and made a lot of playoffs.
Lamb isn’t overpaid, nor as easily replaceable as you say he is. If I had to move off one of them, and cap implications weren’t a thing, I’d move off Prescott based on talent alone. It’d be the area you’d experience the smallest downgrade, but it wouldn’t be something you didn’t feel.
Oof: They just don’t win…
Oooh….Can you read…..didn’t say they didn’t make playoffs….said they don’t advance and win the big one……
Look back at the very first comment before you jumped in.
Cowboys are the most valuable franchise in the NFL. Jerry Jones sleeps fine at night he doesn’t care about the product on the field
You were lead cheerleader for every Cowboys overpay. And you’re still at it.
Just love spending OPM, don’t you?
There’s a cap and against that cap one has to field minimum 22 players plus special teamers. Some decent backups are a good idea, as it’s the NFL and there will be injuries to WR, RB, OL, secondary almost every season.
Putting idiotic words in my mouth again. I’ve consistently criticized the Cowboys for costing themselves money by waiting way too long to lock guys up.
You have been very consistent in that.
Enough is enough. 200 mil for any entertainer or athlete is ridiculous. And what does Jerry jones get with his millionaire players? Nothing…nothing ..nothing….
Jerry Jones gets even more money.
Provide some facts of that or proof….
The salary cap is derived from a percentage of league revenue. The salary cap has been skyrocketing because team revenues have. This also means team worth (where most of Jones’ personal worth is tied up) is skyrocketing. With new TV deals and probably an 18th game coming in the next few years, Jones is going to get substantially richer.
Rocky how does that crow taste ?
You Cowboy guys…how does that crow taste?….all I asked jackass was provide proof which he did….go back to your 4th grade reader and look at the pictures….
And he provided proof. Enjoy the crow chump
Don’t forget about the newer revenue stream from the international games as well. Every stadium is packed.
Thanks….as of 2024 Jones net worth was pegged at $16 Billion with $10 coming from ownership in the Cowboys…..so the majority does come from ownership but he also makes a ton of money from his ownership and investments outside of his Cowboys ownership…..
Yes, we’re not talking about Jerry Jones’s personal wealth. There’s a salary cap which Jones cannot supplement. The Cowboys and the Redskins were among the league’s wealthy, the introduction of the salary cap didn’t suit them. They rebelled in the last season and a bogus after-the-fact punishment (draft picks) was imposed.
There’s a cap and against that cap one has to field minimum 22 players plus special teamers. Some decent backups are a good idea, as it’s the NFL and there will be injuries to WR, RB, OL, secondary almost every season.
You couldn’t manage your way through a monopoly game. Actually monopoly might suit you: the best strategy is spend, spend, spend.
Read the comment to which I replied. “Enough is enough. 200 mil for any entertainer or athlete is ridiculous.” That’s a comment about personal wealth, not cap spending.
I don’t know what it is about me that triggers you so much, but replying to me three times in three places with increasing hostility in the span of five minutes doesn’t make you seem like a sane person. Last time you were this thirsty to dunk on me about team spending, you told me the Eagles are run foolishly. I don’t know why you’re so desperate to have that conversation all over again, but I’m not interested.
So,eon3 doesnt understand free market economies….
I can sum up the Cowboys in three words
“Death by Jerry”
Ironically, and I can’t believe that I’m saying this, but could Dallas come out smarter by signing Lamb and Prescott to (at the time) such huge extensions before doing Parsons? If they knew that Parsons would be the worst cap-wise, did they lock down the other two first for that reason?
If, say, they did Parsons first at $40 million AAV, would Lamb have demanded $30 million? Would Prescott have wanted $65 million? I very well could be wrong here-I often am, particularly when it comes to contracts-but I have to consider the thought. Of course, the wait produced the Garrett deal in the meantime, which complicates these negotiations (teams should bet that the Browns would push contract prices up again during any given offseason, as they often do), but perhaps there is some strategy there that bears consideration. If Dallas knew that Parsons would, comparatively, be their most precedent setting deal, they’d rather not use it to inspire Lamb or Prescott. They could get a year of those deals under wraps while Parsons plays on the rookie deal.
I’m not endorsing this or even necessarily saying that this plan was even in place or was formulated, but it’s a thought that I had, which could be way off base. I too thought that Dallas’ offseason approach was silly and lacked urgency. But it’s a thought to ponder.
Pretty simple to me. You can pay Parsons 200 million or so to play 13 games, Or at #12 you can take one of the fine young Pass Rushers in this draft and move on, Let Parsons find a sucker and take the very nice compensatory pick coming your way next year. Which way will Jerry go? Yeah you’re right, He’ll toss away the 200 million.
Parsons never missed a game until last year and suddenly 13 games is all he’ll ever play? Come on.
You certainly don’t know the impact Parsons has on the field. He changes how other teams operate their offense; taking on double and sometimes triple teams. It makes Dallas’ defense much more effective. He is easily one of the top 3 defenders in the NFL. You’re not getting that with a draft pick.
“Pretty simple to me.”
Maybe you should think a little harder then because replacing a guy with over 50 sacks in his first four years with three All-Pros who has only missed four games along the way he is not as easy as you’re making it sound. If Parsons was a UFA right now, there’d be 10+ “suckers” offering him $200 million. He’s a top five defender in the league. Guys like him don’t grow on trees.
Mike, I think you’re oversimplifying what you’re proposing, and using a bit of a false narrative to support it.
First, there is nothing to suggest Parsons is a huge injury risk. It’s football, so yes, injuries can happen. I’m not sure how you arrived at the point where he is playing 13 games for the next 4 or 5 years, though.
Secondly, if you’re going to cut bait with Parsons, you may as well trade him now. Keeping an unhappy player helps no one, especially when they’d get an absolute haul in return versus just collecting a comp pick.
Third, you’re not replacing Micah. You can fill the position, but you won’t replace the production in this draft. Carter is the only player that might come close and he’ll be gone before the Cowboys pick.
Lastly, you have to consider the business side. If you let Micah leave, you best have a strong plan to smooth that over with your fan base. You may not be a basketball guy, but look how the Mavs fans in Dallas have voiced their displeasure over a franchise player being dealt. That hurts your jersey and ticket sales, and probably 5 other things I’m not even considering.
On a less important level, if you’re Jerry, you better have some thick skin, too. The media will be all over you, especially if you go 7-10 or something following.
Trade Parsons for two first round picks, even to a playoff team (picks won’t be high but will still be first rounders). There’s a sucker out there somewhere.
It’s not just the draft picks which will make a difference for Dallas but the additional salary cap someone besides rookies and vet minimum (the upcoming diet, post-Parsons signing).
Why would you take a compensatory pick when you could trade him
Because you’re not going to get a high draft pick when the guy you’re trading wants 200 million bucks. You’ll probably get a pick after the 1st round if you let him go and somebody signs him for that much. Compensation is based on how big the contract is. And I just based it on how many games he played last year. It said 13 but I doubt he played 13 FULL games. I seem to remember him coming out of some games. But it said he played 13 so I went with that. I try to avoid watching the Cowboys as a general rule but sometimes it’s all that’s on.
Parsons would return more than a first round pick in a trade. Well more.
There’s no point in trying to convince him. Parsons is a special talent everyone sees it but Mike
Never said he wasn’t a good football player. What I am saying is that he’s not a 200 million dollar player. in fact the top 3 salaries on the Cowboys aren’t worth anywhere near what they’re getting paid. Who’s fault is that? Hmmmmm, I wonder……….? Yep GM Jerry . An owner who is his own GM has has an idiot who hires and pays people. Kinda like the lawyer saying, Has a moron for a client.
Hey man….the Cowboy fans commenting here are rabid and you can’t post anything that even slightly degrades the Cowboy team, players, ownership, stadium….but frankly the marketing that Jones has done is pretty amazing….he if anything is a terrific businessman……
Cowboys living rent free in this chumps head all year long. Every post he has related to the cowboys some how. ex boyfriend who was cowboys fan cheat on you? Get over it son
Hey Rocky- So are the Bears fans on our articles. Doesn’t stop you idiots from trashing the Bears in those. Put your dress back on and man up. Besides I think the Bears have played in the Super Bowl more recently than the Cowboys. All I said was Parsons isn’t worth what he thinks he is. Like most players on the Cowboys but they still get paid like it.
Rocky sucks rocky sucks
Of course they’d get a high draft pick for him
Good luck with that.. Parsons isn’t on Myles Garrett level. Maybe he gets $200 million but for 5-6 years not 4
Given their relative ages, he’s absolutely on Garrett’s level contract-wise. Many teams would take Parsons over the next 4-5 years over Garrett.
Parsons is younger, has more in the tank, and statistically is slightly better.
I think they should trade him the the Eagles…
The Bank of Jerry is the next best thing to having your own unlimited ATM.
No one was mad that Dak didn’t get an extension. It’s been time to move on and do a complete rebuild but Jerry won’t because he wants to sell a winning product. Even if that means 9-8 every season.
At that price you trade him and let someone else burn that cap space
Jerry has redefined delusional; particularly since he hasn’t so much as accidentally learned from his own recent actions.
Never … not once … not in a dream … has waiting on the market to develop worked in his favor. In fact, it’s led to massive overpay contracts
Every
Single
Time
Now he’s nose-to-nose with the reality of 3 players consuming a hilariously overwhelming chunk of the team’s cap while being unable to get past the 1st round … as if another TEMU RB is the missing ingredient
Good Luck Cowboy fandom
You’re completely right but you support your team right? Otherwise you’re just a bandwagon fan. I dont give any money to the cowboys but I’ll stream their games because im a fan.
Go Cowboys year 30 breaks the curse!!
Pass, they got the best and cheap years from him. The wise thing would be to trade him for a haul.
He’s 25….
I hope Detroit extends Hutchinson before the Edge contracts become completely ridiculous. We’ve already seen Cleveland with their “look at this” deal with Garrett and now the Cowboys are in line with a “hold my beer” extension.
Micah Parsons traded to Falcons. Mark my words, you heard it here first. Or as they say down in hoodat nation, BUHLEEDAT!!!!!!