Dallas Cowboys News & Rumors

A mutual interest exists between the Cowboys and Micah Parsons for a long-term extension to be worked out. Negotiations with the All-Pro edge rusher will be a central storyline during the offseason, but Parsons hopes to have a deal in place before the start of the new league year.

“I’m going to try and work with them as much as possible to help them attack free agency,” Parsons said about extension talks (via ESPN’s Todd Archer). “I want to be back with this team. This offseason, I want to be here… I want to take big steps, so hopefully it can be done sooner than later so we can attack the offseason.”

Parsons stated before the 2024 campaign he would not engage in contract talks during the season. With Dallas set to miss the playoffs, though, a window of opportunity will soon open for team and player to reach agreement on a deal prior to free agency starting in March. The Cowboys are not expected to be aggressive in adding outside pieces this spring, and retaining in-house players will again be a top priority. Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb secured new contracts ahead of Week 1 this year, and doing the same with Parsons will ensure stability along the edge.

Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones recently made comments which fell short of guaranteeing the 25-year-old would be extended this offseason, although he confirmed the team’s desire to avoid a trade or free agent departure next offseason. Owner Jerry Jones then made it clear no consideration has been given to a trade involving Parsons, who is on track for a fourth straight season with double-digit sacks despite missing time earlier in the campaign. Dallas made a record-breaking $60MM-per-year commitment to Prescott after Lamb’s extension checked in at $34MM per season (the second-highest figure for receivers).

Parsons has long been considered a candidate for a pact making him the league’s highest-paid edge rusher. That distinction currently belongs to Nick Bosa, whose 49ers deal carries an AAV of $34MM. In his most recent comments on a potential extension, however, Parsons has indicated reaching the top of the position’s pecking order may not be necessary to get a deal done. The Penn State product doubled down on that stance when again stating his desire for the Cowboys to bring back as many members of their current edge rush group as possible.

If no extension is worked out in the near future, the possibility could be in place that Parsons holds out from voluntary workouts during the spring. The three-time Pro Bowler is currently set to play on his fifth-year option in 2025, but a major raise from his scheduled $21.32MM will be in store once a new deal is worked out. Parsons said he does not anticipate holding out from minicamp and/or OTAs in the event an agreement has not been reached; it will be interesting to see if successful negotiations prevent such a scenario from taking place.

The Cowboys’ disappointing season has stirred much speculation about the future of the franchise, but owner Jerry Jones adamantly shot down any chance of trading Micah Parsons.

“That’s never been uttered in this organization that we don’t have a future with Micah Parsons,” Jones said on Dallas’ 105.3 The Fan via ESPN’s Todd Archer. 

Recent comments from Cowboys executive vice president and director of player personnel Stephen Jones snowballed into speculation that the team was considering trading their All-Pro pass rusher.

“Obviously we’re totally all-in on Dak [Prescott] and CeeDee [Lamb],” said Jones via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, “but after that, then you still shape things, including Micah [Parsons]. But Micah’s a great player. You don’t do well in this league letting guys like Micah, usually, leave the house.”

That led to a postgame question for Parsons on Sunday regarding a potential offseason trade.

“I understand how that business side goes. There are no hard feelings in this business, whether I’m here or anywhere else,” responded Parsons, per The Athletic’s Jon Machota. “Obviously I’ve stated that I want to be here. But at the end of the day, I understand the business side.”

While Parsons could earn one of the league’s biggest defensive contracts on the open market, he seems open to less money if that means staying in Dallas.

“So, I would rather just be in the best situation, you know? At that point, I don’t think there’s a big difference between $30 million and $40 million in my eyes, you know?” said Parsons on December 9, per Archer. “At the end of the day,whatever it takes for me just to continue to be a Cowboy until I retire, that’s what I want,” he continued. 

The Cowboys picked up Parsons’ fifth-year option in March, keeping him under contract in 2025 for $21.3MM, but a long-term extension would free up more money for Dallas to address other holes on their roster.

Just as the 2024 offseason was largely defined by high-profile extension negotiations, the Cowboys will again have a major contract matter to attend to this spring. Edge rusher Micah Parsons is on track to play on his fifth-year option in 2025, but a long-term deal will be the central aim of team and player once negotiations begin.

Parsons was eligible for a monster second contract this past offseason, but the cases of quarterback Dak Prescott and wideout CeeDee Lamb took precedence. Both players landed new deals to avoid a potential free agent spell, but by making major commitments in each case the Cowboys continued their trend of authorizing big-ticket contracts to players at the top of the depth chart. A busy spring in terms of outside spending should not be expected, and retaining Parsons will require signficant cap resources.

“Obviously we’re totally all in on Dak and CeeDee,” Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones said (via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport) when asked about Parsons talks. “But after that, then you still shape things, including Micah. But Micah’s a great player. You don’t do well in this league letting guys like Micah, usually, leave the house.”

Parsons has remained productive in 2024 before and after the high ankle sprain he suffered midway through the campaign. He currently has 6.5 sacks, giving him a chance to reach double-digits in that regard for the fourth consecutive season. The three-time Pro Bowler has long been connected to a deal making him the league’s highest-paid edge rusher, and he could wait for the market to move when the likes of Myles Garrett (Browns) and T.J. Watt (Steelers) negotiate new pacts before engaging in serious Cowboys talks. Nick Bosa‘s 49ers pact carries an annual average value of $34MM per year, a figure which Parsons might not be entirely set on surpassing on his second contract.

While Jones did not offer a public guarantee Parsons will be retained beyond 2025 (when he is scheduled to collect $21.32MM), he added he “can’t imagine there’s a scenario” in which the 25-year-old would play for a team other than Dallas. Parsons has expressed a desire to stay with the Cowboys through the remainder of his career, and reaching agreement on a long-term accord will go a long way toward ensuring that.

Dallas’ commitments to Prescott and Lamb will lead to major cap implications for years to come, and other major financial decisions will be tied to new deals for pending free agents Zack Martin and DeMarcus Lawrence or pacts for their replacements. Cornerback Trevon Diggs (who is out for the year) is on the books through 2028, and his salary for next season is set to vest early in the new league year. Adjustments and cuts will take place between now and then, but Parsons’ status will remain a situation worth watching closely.