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Micah Parsons says he hopes to be with Dallas Cowboys ‘for life’

profilephotocropby:Suzanne Halliburton•02/10/24•

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micah parsons cowboys
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Count on Cowboys fans this off season to get antsy over contracts. Ace pass rusher Micah Parsons is among those who needs an extension.

Negotiations with him don’t need to start immediately. The Cowboys most pressing concern is signing receiver CeeDee Lamb. Owner Jerry Jones also needs to rework Dak Prescott‘s deal. Then they can shift to Parsons’ contract. There’s still a season of wiggle room.

In the meantime, Parsons wanted everyone to know he’s not stressing over potential negotiations. But his contract was a big talking point Thursday night during red carpet interviews for NFL Honors. Parsons was there because he was a finalist for NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

“I love Cowboys nation,” Parsons said on the red carpet. “I’m extremely grateful to still be a Cowboy. And I hope I’m a Cowboy for life.”

Cowboys likely to pick up Parsons’ fifth-year option

The Cowboys selected Parsons in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. The first-rounders sign a four-year deal with teams being able to pick up a fifth-year option. Dallas likely will do that with Parsons, who finished third for defensive player of the year. Myles Garrett won the award, with TJ Watt as the runnerup.

The former Penn State star agreed to a rookie four-year deal worth $17,079,793, including a $9.78 million signing bonus. His base salary for this year is $2,989,062. Given he’s made the Pro Bowl in each of his first three years, that’s a deal for the Cowboys.

Lamb is the most significant player to keep happy. He caught a team-record 135 passes in the regular season. They totaled 1,749 yards, which also was tops in team history. He and Prescott combined for a 92-yard touchdown pass against the Lions. That play earned Lamb the NextGen Stats Moment of the Year award at NFL Honors.

Parsons hosted Lamb on his podcast, which was released Friday. The two talked contracts. And Lamb is expecting big numbers. “I can’t give you no numbers right now,” Lamb told Parsons. “But I’ll tell you this, one of the top paid receivers for sure, if not the (highest-paid receiver). That’s always the goal.”

There are some big name receivers who will be either free agents this year or looking for early extensions with their teams. Justin Jefferson wants the Vikings to make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay’s Mike Evans also may be on the open market.

The Cowboys already picked up Lamb’s fifth-year option. But the deal needs to be done. Parsons wants to be paid, too.