Micah Parsons’ eyes historic $200M deal, aims to be NFL’s highest-paid defender

The time to extend Micah Parsons’ contract is fast approaching for the Dallas Cowboys. Parsons is among the star players in the ‘Americas Team’ and one of the best athletes in his position in the NFL.

Parsons witnessed a summer filled with blockbuster contract extensions flying off the negotiation table. Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins got their doe, as the Bengals broke the bank to make them the highest-paid receiver duo in history, while the Panthers made Jaycee Horn the first $100 million cornerback, but a few days later the Texans reset the market by paying David Stingley Jr. a $30 million-year contract.

The increase in the salary cap definitely played a massive part in these deals, but they matter little to Micah Parsons. What enticed the first-rounder was Myles Garrett’s five-year, $200 million extension with the Browns.

Garrett’s extension surprised everyone, including Parsons. The 2023 Defensive Player of the Year was inching closer to leaving the Cleveland franchise but suddenly ended up being the highest-paid edge rusher ever.

Parsons recently even spoke about a number that would be adequate for the contributions he has made for the Cowboys on and off the field. According to the Dallas News.com’s Calvin Watkins, Micah Parsons wants to sign a $200 million contract.

It could be with anyone. The Cowboys are in the mix because he plays for them but never rules out a twist. This is the NFL, where expecting the unexpected becomes reality.

Will Micah Parsons stick around if the Cowboys play hardball?

The Cowboys, especially their owner/general manager, Jerry Jones, is famous and notorious for dragging a negotiation to the brink of no return. It ends with either the Dak Prescott way or the highway like Ezekiel Elliott.

Prescott bagged a $61 million per year deal to be the Cowboys’ starting quarterback while Elliott was shown the door—brought back for a fringe year and then released back on the market.

Parsons is a chill guy. Unlike CeeDee Lamb or Garrett, he has no plans to make the Cowboys suffer.

No, I don’t plan on following suit… As long as, you know, I get a deal done, I think I’ll be pretty happy.

Micah Parsons told Zach Gelb of WFAN660

And Micah Parsons has made it simple…he doesn’t plan on requesting a trade from the Cowboys as long as he gets his money.

Now we watch and wait. pic.twitter.com/DRt4xhIv0X

— Zach Gelb (@ZachGelb) March 9, 2025

The draft is nearly around the corner, and according to sources such as NFL reporter Jane Slater, the Cowboys haven’t even begun negotiating with Parsons. He might have to wait a while to see the green in his bank. Jones doesn’t exactly have a great track record.

The sooner a deal can be concluded the better because the price to sign Micah Parsons continues to rise. As of now, Parsons’ goal of becoming a $200 million man is on hold.

Calvin Watkins wrote

Micah Parsons’ agent and Dallas' front office discussed a contract at the scouting combine. No serious talks have occurred since 😳

Our @calvinwatkins details the star pass rusher's quest to become NFL’s first $200 million defensive player 👇https://t.co/6S2UaCTnjf pic.twitter.com/GSWuo1tTrK

— SportsDayDFW (@SportsDayDFW) March 28, 2025

Now what if Jones decides that Parsons is out of his budget, then what? That leaves trading him to a team so he can earn the money and the Cowboys receive a generous trade bounty to spend in the draft. There are always great values to have in the draft.

If warm weather is Parsons’ forte, then Arizona Cardinals is a good spot for him. The Cardinals may not be world beaters, but last year pushed the Rams and the Seahawks in the NFC West. On top of it, they are among the few franchises in the NFL that can give him a $200 million extension.

The Cardinals also need a quality linebacker/defensive end because their pass rush in 2024 was rubbish.

No [Arizona] Cardinals pass rusher recorded more than five sacks in 2024. They’re going to revamp the edge-rushing group drastically. The team’s free agents include LJ Collier, Baron Browning, Dennis Gardeck, Jesse Luketa, and Julian Okwara. Ossenfort probably won’t have an interest in bringing any of them back. Defensive head coach Jonathan Gannon is desperate for solutions. If the Cowboys consider trading [Micah] Parsons to an NFC team, they likely don’t view the Cardinals as enough of a threat to eliminate the possibility.

The Draft Network’s Justin Melo wrote

The Cardinals currently have two poster children on their roster. Quarterback Kyler Murray and rookie sensation Marvin Harrison Jr. Adding Micah Parsons will force their rivals to take them more seriously. This is a good proposition considering both the 49ers and the Seahawks are in a transition period; the only real threat is the Rams.

Related: Dak Prescott, who is the highest-paid player in NFL history, is the only NFC East QB without a conference championship appearance