Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons' hefty fifth-year option figure revealed
As the league new year approaches, NFL teams are currently in the midst of working through their plans for personnel going into 2024 and beyond. Luckily for the Dallas Cowboys front office, they don’t have to include edge rusher Micah Parsons among their large group of free agents this offseason. However, they still have a big decision to make on the 2021 first-rounder.
After three years with Dallas, Parsons has a fifth-year option on his contract waiting for the Cowboys to pick up. Thanks to his performance so far, the former Penn State star is one of several 2021 first-rounders who qualify for the highest level of benefits for their fifth year.
Having made his third Pro Bowl in 2023, Parsons’ fifth-year option salary figure is either $21,324,000 as a defensive end or $24,007,000 as a linebacker in 2025, according to the numbers released on Friday. Considering the Cowboys have him officially listed as a linebacker, it’s likely going to be the larger of the two amounts.
A linebacker going into his fourth year with two or more Pro Bowl bids has the second-most expensive fifth-year option, behind only the quarterback figure of $38,301,000. The highest-paid linebacker in the league in 2023 made $20 million.
Parsons recorded a career-high in sacks in 2023, just edging out his 2022 total with 14. He also had 12 tackles for loss and a forced fumble with a recovery. Over his first three seasons, he’s won the Rookie Defensive Player of the Year award, two first-team All-Pro honors, one second-team All-Pro honor and three Pro Bowl nominations.
He’s accumulated 213 career tackles with 40.5 sacks, 28 tackles for loss, seven forced fumbles, and four recoveries. In postseason games, he’s added another 18 tackles with one sack and 3.5 tackles for loss.
More on the 2024 NFL offseason, free agency
Dallas now has until May 2 to exercise the fifth-year option on Parsons. If they choose to do so, they could still negotiate a larger contract extension before next season. Last year, Jerry Jones and Co. picked up first-rounder CeeDee Lamb‘s fifth-year option, however, he’s still negotiating a new deal this offseason.
Dallas has a lengthy list of upcoming free agents to consider re-signing, as well as multiple stars who are looking for contract extensions. The list of the Cowboys’ free agents includes Tyron Smith, Tony Pollard, Stephon Gilmore, Tyler Biadasz, Dorance Armstrong Jr., Jayron Kearse, Jourdan Lewis, Johnathan Hankins, Neville Gallimore, Dante Fowler Jr., Chuma Edoga, Noah Igbinoghene and Rico Dowdle.
The NFL 2024 calendar year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 13. At that time, contracts running through 2023 officially run out, making those players free agents. Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams will have a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 5. Beginning March 11 through March 13 teams can enter into a legal negotiation with players who are will become unrestricted free agents.