One NFL insider believes Dallas Cowboys star pass rusher Micah Parsons is about to land an extension that will reset the market for his position.
The NFL, from schemes to structure, is a copycat league. But when it comes to contract negotiations, teams constantly try to one-up each other.
Two players with similar skill sets and age rarely sign for the same number. Agents and teams always look to spin the situation to their advantage. And for Dallas’ best defensive player in a generation, he’s about to cash in and set a new standard for edge rusher compensation.
Could Cowboys LB Micah Parsons Set New Record for Edge Rusher Contracts?
In the NFL, the competition doesn’t end when the game does. Parsons is one of the top pass rushers in the league. Starting your career with four straight seasons of double-digit sacks and 52.5 total sacks is no small feat. Simply put, the Cowboys’ front seven wouldn’t be the same without him.
Last season, Dallas went 1-3 in games Parsons didn’t play. That’s a clear sign of just how much he means to the defense. He’s a one-man wrecking crew who can shut down an opposing passing game.
NFL insider Adam Schefter said on the “Unsportsmanlike” podcast that he expects the 26-year-old to land a record-setting extension.
.@AdamSchefter expects @MicahhParsons11 to become the highest paid defensive player in NFL history. @ZipRecruiter | @ESPNRadio pic.twitter.com/5QUk3JWCsy
— UNSPORTSMANLIKE Radio (@UnSportsESPN) June 17, 2025
“Micah Parsons, I expect to become the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history.”
And when you look at the numbers, it’s easy to justify Schefter’s expectations. In addition to 52.5 sacks, Parsons has racked up 256 tackles, 63 tackles for loss, 112 QB hits, four fumble recoveries, nine forced fumbles and nine defended passes.
He’s younger than guys like Cincinnati Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson and Pittsburgh Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt — and just as productive. Age matters in this league, and Parsons just turned 26 this spring.
That gives him a leg up on most of his peers. Hendrickson and Watt are entering their age-31 seasons. The only elite edge rusher close to Parsons’ age and production level is Cleveland’s Myles Garrett, who won’t turn 30 until December.
Micah Parsons beats the overset inside with the swipe & gets the sack! #PassRush #NYGvsDAL #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/gjI7bYUbvd
— DLineVids (@dlinevids1) November 29, 2024
Garrett currently holds the top mark for defensive players after signing a four-year, $120 million extension this spring. That deal pays him $40 million per year.
So, how much should Dallas be willing to pay?
Since the phrase “all the money” is vague, consider a few things: First, Parsons is still just 26. Second, take a look at how the defense performs without him. When he’s not on the field, production drops.
That’s why a deal worth $45-50 million per year over the next five seasons doesn’t seem crazy. The only real question is how much the Cowboys are willing to commit to one player.
But elite edge rushers like Parsons don’t come around often. And when they do, you’ve got to pay up to keep them.