Micah Parsons says T.J. Watt's price tag tops even his own demands from Jerry Jones: Insider
Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons has indicated that the market for elite pass rushers is shifting rapidly and not in a direction favorable to team owner Jerry Jones.
Speaking candidly about his stalled contract extension, Parsons revealed that he has seen the figures being floated by fellow All-Pro edge rusher T.J. Watt. He reportedly hinted that they surpass the numbers he and the Cowboys management initially discussed.
Parsons, who has been eligible for an extension since the end of the 2023 season, confirmed that Dallas risks facing a steeper price tag the longer they wait to finalize a deal.
The Cowboys linebacker made his comments during an interview with Clarence Hill of All City DLLS on Thursday.
"According to Parsons, the deal that [TJ] Watt is seeking is more than what he and Jones talked about. And he said he is seen the number. Therefore, his deal is going to go up, which means the #Cowboys are going to be paying more," reporter Brandon Loree wrote on X.
Per
@clarencehilljr
in the article:
“According to Parsons, the deal that [TJ] Watt is seeking is more than what he and Jones talked about. And he said he is seen the number.
Therefore, his deal is going to go up, which means the #Cowboys are going to be paying more.”
Though the Cowboys and Parsons had verbally aligned on key terms in March, that informal agreement never progressed into a formal offer. This is in part because Jones never looped in Micah Parsons’ agent, David Mulugheta.
Micah Parsons warns Cowboys about rising costs of delayed negotiations
Parsons, a four-time Pro Bowler, said he plans to report to training camp in Oxnard next month. But without a finalized extension, he’s left open the possibility of skipping on-field participation.
For Dallas, the situation mirrors past high-stake standoffs with stars like CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott. Both secured major deals after extended contract sagas
Micah Parsons is set to play the 2025 season on his fifth-year option, worth over $21 million. Without a long-term deal, the Cowboys would have the franchise tag at their disposal next offseason. That approach could complicate future negotiations with other key players like DaRon Bland and Jake Ferguson.
Parsons reportedly wants to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league. That benchmark currently belongs to Bengals wideout Ja’Marr Chase, who recently secured a $40.25 million annual salary. The defensive record, meanwhile, is held by Myles Garrett of the Browns at $40 million per year.