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Micah Parsons Sets Record Straight About Contract Demands For Cowboys

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Dec 19, 2024 5:32 PM ET

Micah Parsons discussed his mindset ahead of a pivotal offseason.

The Dallas Cowboys edge rusher is under contract through the 2025 season, so extension talks will likely dominate offseason conversation around America's Team. Parsons clarified Thursday that he'd like to complete a new deal early to stay in Dallas.

"I'm going to try and work with them as much as possible to help them attack free agency," Parsons said, per ESPN's Todd Archer. "I want to be back with this team. This offseason, I want to be here. I want to get these guys right. I want to take big steps, so hopefully it can be done sooner than later so we can attack the offseason."

A $34 million average annual salary makes Nick Bosa the highest-paid edge rusher. Parsons said he isn't concerned about clearing that threshold at the expense of Dallas building a competitive roster.

"It would be nice to be surrounded by good players," Parsons said. "Players that will help me win championships. To me, having $40 million and being chipped every play and slid into three, four people, that doesn't sound too fun to me."

Parsons also doesn't plan to hold out of training camp. He may have to learn a new scheme if the Cowboys make coaching changes, and he wants to set a standard for his teammates.

"I've got to be around the guys," Parsons said, per team reporter Patrik Walker. "There's going to be rookies, there's going to be free agents -- guys that come here -- you don't know who's going to be there. So there's a chemistry part, and people know what you can do, but people also got to see it from a leader aspect. So I still got to be there for that part.

Even if Parsons is open to taking a discount, the 25-year-old will likely receive a massive contract next year.

The All-Pro has 49 sacks, 108 quarterback hits, and eight forced fumbles in 60 career games. He finished no lower than third in Defensive Player of the Year voting through his first three seasons.

Dallas lost four of five games without him earlier this season, and Parsons has tallied 7.5 sacks in six games back from an ankle injury. He'll fight to maintain the team's slim playoff chances when the Cowboys play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Sunday night.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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