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San Francisco 49ers and defensive end Nick Bosa agreed to a five-year, $170 million contract extension with over 120 million guaranteed.

That makes him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history.

So… The market has now been set for Cowboys defensive end star Micah Parsons.

Even before Bosa put ink to this deal, we knew Parsons would get paid somewhere in the ballpark of this amount, but now a real value has been set for him.

“Super happy for Nick Bosa, man,” Parsons said. “He really showed why he was the best player in the league last year. It gives you something to chase, man. And not in terms of his contract, but in terms of how great he was. He knows that I'm coming for him.

He even said, ‘I won this year, and I know you'll be coming for it next year.' And I said, ‘You're damn right.'”

Parsons will be the leader of this team for a long time, and the market is now set.

If he goes out and wins Defensive Player of the Year or has another second-place finish, he will get paid more than Bosa just got.

The thing I love about Parsons is that he wants to be great. He talks about it all the time.

He wants to do nothing but win.

“Each week and each Sunday, you have a chance to go out there and perform, to show why you're the best in the world,” Parsons said. “It doesn't matter if I don't do it right and show why I'm the best in the world.

“My plan is to go out there, play hard football. Play passionate, smart football and show why I'm the best in the world.”

With the best defensive player the Cowboys have had in years, Parsons has a chance to be the greatest to ever wear the star on the side of his helmet.

Sunday Night Football

The Cowboys open their season Sunday night at Metlife Stadium against the New York Giants.

The Giants have only beaten Dak Prescott once in his career. Since his rookie year 2016, Prescott has won 10 straight games against them.

It will increase to 11 on Sunday.

During the 2022 season, Parsons led the Cowboys in sacks (13.5) and quarterback pressures (65). He's made the Pro Bowl and been named a 1st Team All-Pro in each of his two seasons so far.

Look for Parsons to get off to a fast start Sunday, putting pressure on Daniel Jones.

With Parsons moving to a more full-time defensive end role in 2023, he had a real chance to break the single-season sack record of 20 set by DeMarcus Ware in 2008.

This might be the best team on both sides of the ball since 2007. I have a very good feeling about this year's team.

I can't wait for Sunday night.

The Cowboys probably won't get a better chance to win, and if they don't the window will close within the next few years.

CeeDee Lamb, Parsons, and possibly Dak Prescott will be next in line for extensions. Let's see how it plays out.

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