Micah Parsons wants to become the NFL’s highest-paid defender. Two years after his dominant 14-sack 2023 campaign, the Cowboys linebacker finds himself in crucial contract negotiations that could exceed $40 million annually.
The All-Pro posted 12 sacks in 2024, maintaining elite production that prompted Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to vow he’d make Parsons the league’s top-paid defender.
But not everyone agrees Parsons deserves that distinction.
Parsons’ Value Sparks Debate Between Analysts
Colin Cowherd named Myles Garrett, Jared Verse, Maxx Crosby, Patrick Surtain II, and Chris Jones as his top five defenders in the league. He called them the players he would pay anything to retain. Notably absent from that list? Parsons.
The omission drew a sharp response from former NFL MVP Cam Newton, who believes Parsons has earned his right to overtake Garrett as the top-paid defender in the league. Newton sees the market dynamics differently than Cowherd.
“If Micah Parsons becomes the top-paid defender in the league, and it’s pointing toward it, is he not worth it? It doesn’t matter if he’s top five, top six, or top 20,” Newton said on his show. “I don’t think anyone will be completely blown away in disbelief if Parsons becomes the top-paid defender in the league. He’s earned it, and it’s only a matter of time.”
The numbers support Newton’s argument. Parsons’ impact remains undeniable. In 2024, according to advanced metrics, opposing teams averaged just 17.8 points per game with him on the field versus 25.2 without him. His 12 sacks last season ranked fifth among all linebackers, while his 52.5 total sacks through four seasons trail only T.J. Watt among defensive players in that span.
Cowherd didn’t include Watt in his list either, instead highlighting Parsons’ limited playoff production as justification for the snub. The Cowboys linebacker has recorded just 1.0 sack in 4 playoff games throughout his career. For Cowherd, postseason performance matters when determining elite status.
Newton dismisses that criticism, focusing instead on market realities. The former quarterback understands how NFL contracts work. If Dallas hesitates, another team will gladly pay Parsons what he wants.
“If you say Myles Garrett is more skillful or some other particular defender, it’s going to be relevant for a couple of weeks because of how this league and the CBA work; it’s going to be topped in a couple of weeks, and if anybody knows, Mr. Jerry Jones knows that,” Newton concluded. “If Jerry ain’t going to pay him, somebody might be happy to pay him.”
Market Forces Could Drive Parsons’ Price Higher
Newton’s point reflects a fundamental truth about NFL contracts. Elite pass rushers rarely hit free agency because teams understand their scarcity. While Parsons might not be the consensus best defender in the league, the market considers supply and demand above all else.
The Cowboys face a challenging decision. Every day they wait, Parsons’ price potentially increases. Other elite defenders like Trey Hendrickson and Watt are also reportedly seeking extensions, which could reset the market further. Jones knows this pattern well. The owner has navigated similar negotiations with franchise cornerstones before, though not always successfully.
If Dallas keeps waiting, the All-Pro edge rusher will only become more expensive. Teams with cap space and defensive needs would line up to acquire a 26-year-old with Parsons’ production and versatility. The Cowboys understand this leverage, which explains why Jones publicly committed to making Parsons the highest-paid defender despite the debate over his ranking.
As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on Parsons and the Cowboys. If Parsons can elevate his playoff performance and help Dallas end its 30-year Super Bowl drought, any record-setting contract will look like a bargain in hindsight. Until then, the debate over his true value will continue, even as the market prepares to answer that question definitively.
a Dallas Cowboys fan, since the 70’s it looks like Jerry Jones is going to pay Micah Parsons I don’t think Jerry Jones will trade Micah Parsons