The Dallas Cowboys spiced up Week 1 when they agreed to terms on the largest contract in NFL history with quarterback Dak Prescott hours before kicking off against the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 8.
The world will have to wait a lot longer for their next blockbuster contract.
Micah Parsons, the do-it-all All-Pro linebacker, is in line for the next record-setting deal, but he is settling in for a long wait for a pay day, sources say. He also is in no rush for a deal, despite putting up the kind of production that often demands contractual attention.
Do not be surprised if Parsons' timeline for a potential big-money extension is similar to that of Prescott, who signed a four-year, $240-million deal a week ago. When Parsons gets a deal done, he's expected to be the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history, just like when San Francisco 49ers pass rusher Nick Bosa inked his extension in Sept. 2023.
But contracts don't exist in a vacuum, and sources say Parsons is well-versed in this reality: The market for elite defenders will only go up.
Steelers star T.J. Watt, who was his usual dominant self in Week 1, will be in the final year of his deal in 2025, one Pittsburgh will almost certainly look to redo. Browns star Myles Garrett, who had a sack against the Cowboys in Week 1, will have two years left on his deal next offseason, but his contract ($25 million per year) is outdated and likely will be addressed, as well.
Depending on the timing of those, Parsons could see Watt and Garrett both raise the ceiling on defensive contracts even more. If Parsons is willing to wait -- and sources say he is -- it only helps, as the most money often goes to the most recent star to get paid.
Parsons, set to play under his $21.3 million fifth-year option in 2025, told reporters before the season that he expects the contract to take care of itself, and that he'd like to play in Dallas his entire career.
"There's nothing like wearing the star when you do it the right way," Parsons, who is represented by agent David Mulugheta of Athletes First, in training camp in July. "So in terms of being here, I want to be here my whole life."
Cowboys chief operating officer Stephen Jones explained Parsons' decision to wait on a deal while talking to 105.3 The Fan shortly after the Prescott deal got done and how he expects that playing in Mike Zimmer's defense will only help the star pass rusher.
"Micah made a conscientious decision that he thinks he can put together an even better year," Jones said. "I think his play speaks louder than words. I think he expects to have a great year under [Zimmer]. Then probably feel comfortable to talk about it then."
The Cowboys are projected to have $29.1 million in salary-cap space next offseason, , but Dallas has been preparing for the calculus of paying another star player (wide receiver CeeDee Lambsigned a four-year $136 million deal in August).
Back in July, owner Jerry Jones discussed the rarity of potentially having to pay three players top-of-market deals.
"Those three players you mean could be 70 percent of all the money you got -- 70 percent of your payroll," Jones told reporters at the start of training camp. "Now you need a little money for the other 51. That's a challenge. Especially a challenge when you've used some of the very money you're working with, you've used it for years past. … That's not singing the blues. … What is a pleasure is that you're dealing with that quality and that situation."
