Cowboys Rumors: Micah Parsons' $21.3M Contract Option Exercised for 2025 NFL Season
April 24, 2024
The Dallas Cowboys have exercised Micah Parsons' $21.3 million option for the 2025 season, according to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News.
Gehlken noted Parsons is being paid at defensive end on his fifth-year option since he played a majority of his snaps at that position in 2023. They saved roughly $3 million by designating him a defensive end rather than a linebacker, as Gehlken noted in March.
It was a no-brainer for the Cowboys to exercise Parsons' fifth-year option, as it guarantees he'll remain in Dallas for at least the next two seasons.
Parsons agreed to a four-year, $17.1 million deal with the Cowboys as a rookie after they selected him with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft. He's now eligible for an extension, and he appears headed for a massive deal at some point.
Parsons has been one of the best defenders in the NFL since breaking onto the scene as a rookie. In 2021, posted 13 sacks, three pass breakups, three forced fumbles, 84 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and 30 quarterback hits in 16 games en route to winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year award and earning a Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection.
Parsons followed that up in 2022 with 13.5 sacks, three pass breakups, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, 65 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 26 quarterback hits in 17 games. He finished eighth in MVP voting, second in Defensive Player of the Year voting and earned his second All-Pro and Pro Bowl nods.
The 2023 campaign marked another impressive season for Parsons, who recorded 14 sacks, two pass breakups, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, 64 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and 33 quarterback hits in 17 games en route to his third straight Pro Bowl selection. He also finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting behind winner Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt.
Parsons is the most valuable member of the Dallas defense. After picking up his fifth-year option, getting him locked up to a long-term deal should be the Cowboys' priority moving forward.