Dallas Cowboys edge-rusher Micah Parsons. Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

How Cowboys' latest moves impact future with Micah Parsons

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Mar 4, 2025 3:04 PM ET

The Dallas Cowboys' latest moves could signal they're ready to reward edge-rusher Micah Parsons with a massive payday.

On Tuesday, the Cowboys confirmed they re-signed defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, who had a career-high 23 QB hits in 17 games in 2024. According to Patrik Walker of the team website, the deal is for four years, worth up to $80M and includes $52M in guarantees.

Osa is stayin’ in Dallas ⭐️

: https://t.co/TeqmnKNUK6 | @blockchain pic.twitter.com/3LHdqExE28
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) March 4, 2025

ESPN's Todd Archer noted if the Cowboys had franchise-tagged Odighizuwa, his 2025 cap number would've been $25M. Per Archer, the DT's cap number is $6.25M instead.

Had the Cowboys used the tag on Odighizuwa, he would have counted $25m vs. cap. With the $20m bonus and a low base salary, look for the '25 cap number to be somewhere close to $6m (+/-) when the official numbers roll in. Will help the "selectively aggressive," approach in FA. https://t.co/RaGpLvuyb6
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) March 4, 2025

Later, Archer tweeted the Cowboys restructured wide receiver CeeDee Lamb's contract, creating $20M in cap space.

Over the Cap estimates the Cowboys now have $18.07M in cap space. Still, Dallas must create even more room for an extension for Parsons.

Parsons' market value is a four-year deal worth $33.7M annually (via Spotrac). He's set to play on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract in 2025, which will pay him $24.007M. However, the 25-year-old has said he wants an extension.

Restructuring quarterback Dak Prescott's contract would be the next best move for Dallas. Prescott's 2025 cap number ($89.57M) is the highest on the team. Revising his deal would lower it and yield $37.19M in cap savings for Dallas, via Over the Cap.

Prescott could be willing to revise his deal, especially if it would help the Cowboys keep an elite player in Parsons.

Since being drafted No. 12 overall by Dallas in 2021, Parsons has 52.5 sacks, made four Pro Bowls and earned two first-team All-Pro nods.

The Cowboys may have more work to do, but it seems they're determined to ensure that Parsons stays in Dallas.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

More must-reads: