Cowboys LB believes he will be next highest-paid non-QB in NFL

On Monday, Vikings three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Justin Jefferson became the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league, signing a four-year, $140 million contract extension.

However, one Cowboys edge-rusher believes he will surpass Jefferson's record-breaking payday in due time.

That player is Micah Parsons. The three-time Pro Bowler was asked if he expects to reset the market and top Jefferson's $35 million per year average.

His response: "I mean, yeah."

It wouldn't be surprising if Parsons did become the highest-paid non-QB in the NFL at some point after registering 213 tackles, 40.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and eight passes defensed since entering the league as the No. 12 overall pick in 2021.

Being the next one could be a stretch, though, as wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is entering the final year of his contract.

Luckily for Dallas, Parsons doesn't seem to be in a rush to make that happen.

"I'm patient. Patient is a virtue," Parsons said via Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "I'm waiting my turn. Let CeeDee go get whatever. Let Dak (Prescott) get whatever."

Parsons has two years left on his rookie deal, including the fifth-year option, so getting Lamb and Prescott paid should be at the top of the Cowboys' to-do list.

The 25-year-old Parsons has skipped Dallas' voluntary offseason program, but he made it clear on Tuesday that he is doing so simply to "let his body heal."

Still, his $2.989 million base salary this season makes him one of the most underpaid players in the NFL. Parsons may seem content for now, but the Cowboys better hurry up and extend Prescott and Lamb before he loses his patience.

Dallas was arguably the least active team this offseason, so it could pay its star players. Now is the time to do that, and Parsons knows his value will only go up, like the salary cap.

"This market is going to just jump up, and the cap goes up again next year," concluded Parsons. "They're talking about these contracts might for a high-caliber player might be up to $40 million by then."