The Dallas Cowboys will eventually sign Micah Parsons to a contract extension, but the team must begin these discussions quickly as the price continues to rise.
Conflicting reports have emerged within the last day about how substantial the talks between the two sides have been, with Dallas seemingly keeping this information quiet as the offseason continues.
On Tuesday, Mike Leslie of WFAA reported that Parsons and the Cowboys have “held discussions about a long-term contract extension,” adding that Owner and General Manager Jerry Jones “called Parsons to The Star on Tuesday to discuss a potential deal in further detail.”
However, Jane Slater of the NFL Network reported shortly after that “meaningful talks haven’t even begun,” citing multiple sources from within the Cowboys organization.
Clarence Hill Jr. of All City DLLS posted on social media to confirm Slater’s statements, stating that he got the “same word” from the organization.
Whether the two sides have held discussions on the contract, Dallas completing the deal is incredibly important due to the increasing salaries of non-quarterbacks.
Parsons said in the past that he is prepared to wait on contract discussions and is looking to be the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL, per Sports Illustrated.
At the time of these comments, Justin Jefferson was the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league, with an average yearly salary of $35 million.
Now, that yearly average has been topped multiple times this offseason by players of different positions, with Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase receiving an average of $40.25 million per season and Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett signing for an average of $40 million per year.
The cost of these salaries is expected to continue rising with every new player signing a contract, with Dallas likely having to reset the non-quarterback market in a contract agreement with Parsons.
Dallas’s decision to drag its feet in these contract negotiations is incredibly common for the organization. Similar tactics were used before last season with wide receiver Ceedee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott.
Both players entered the 2024 offseason needing a contract extension and stating a desire to remain with the organization, yet the Cowboys chose to wait until just weeks before the season to sign them.
As a result, the Cowboys agreed to more lucrative contracts than if the franchise had signed those players earlier in the offseason.
While this outcome may not be guaranteed with Parsons as the offseason is still just beginning, there is a likely chance Dallas opts to wait and is forced to pay even more money for a player who has always intended to re-sign with the team.