Dallas Cowboys defensive end Micah Parsons. Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
The Dallas Cowboys and star linebacker Micah Parsons remain at a contract impasse just over two weeks before their season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. Parsons, 26, continues to show up to camp in a “hold-in” as he awaits a long-term extension, but frustration has surfaced. Earlier this month, Parsons even requested a trade — though Dallas has made clear it has no intention of moving its All-Pro defender.
Parsons will play the 2025 season on his fifth-year option, which will pay him just over $24 million. That’s a sizable salary, but still nearly $17 million less than T.J. Watt’s new deal with the Steelers, which made him the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback by average annual value. Browns star Myles Garrett also reset the market this summer with a $40 million-per-year extension. Those contracts have raised expectations for Parsons’ own payday.
Aikman: “I’d be shocked if they don’t”
On Monday night, Cowboys Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman weighed in from the ESPN broadcast booth during the Commanders-Bengals preseason game. He made clear that he expects the Cowboys to eventually re-sign Parsons.
“I’d be shocked if they don’t [get a deal done] prior to the season,” Aikman said. “But I don’t know what leverage [Parsons] has, other than the fact that they, in my opinion, won’t be very good without him. Without Micah Parsons, I just don’t think they’re gonna slow anybody down. He’s a total game wrecker and he’s proven that and he’s certainly worth every penny that he’s ultimately going to get paid. The longer it goes, the more money he’s going to make, so I wouldn’t stress too much if I was him.”
Aikman added that he believes Dallas could surprise people this season under first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer — but only if Parsons is in the lineup. “Well, I do think the Cowboys are gonna be better than what a lot of people project. I saw something where the pundits think that the over/under is 7.5 wins on the Cowboys. I think they’re gonna be much better than that.”
History on Jerry Jones’ Side
Ultimately, the decision lies with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who has navigated numerous tense contract standoffs over the years with stars like Emmitt Smith, Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. In each case, Dallas eventually struck a deal. Just last year, Prescott signed his extension in the final hours before the season opener.
That track record is why Aikman remains confident: “Jerry has shown that he’ll pay top dollar. [Parsons] is a generational talent … So they’ll get something done. [That] is what I expect.”
The Cowboys know how much Parsons means to their defense. With Week 1 approaching, the question is less about whether they’ll pay him — and more about when.
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