90s Cowboys Star Claims He Would Be Getting $60 Million/Year Contract in Today’s Inflated Market

Michael Irvin believes he could have earned a lot more if he was still in the NFL.

90s Cowboys Star Claims He Would Be Getting $60 Million/Year Contract in Today’s Inflated Market

Michael Wilson and Michael Irvin inside the circle (Image via IMAGO/X)

Michael Wilson signing a multi-million-dollar contract extension with the Arizona Cardinals raised ample eyebrows. Hall of Famer Michael Irvin chipped in with his two cents.

Wilson played for Stanford during the COVID-19 crisis. He had a promising sophomore season and returned for his junior year when the pandemic reached its peak. Games were abandoned, leaving athletes’ futures in limbo.

The NCAA granted Wilson a fifth year to increase his draft stock. However, after just six games, Wilson suffered a season-ending injury. He had 26 receptions for 418 yards and 4 touchdowns. In a full season, Wilson could have reached double figures.

Wilson was selected 94th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. He made 13 appearances during his rookie campaign. The following year, he had to share snaps with veteran Greg Dortch and the 4th overall selection, Marvin Harrison Jr.

Arizona made MHJ WR1 while Wilson was tasked with operating in the slot. MHJ struggled with dropped catches all year despite scoring 8 touchdowns.

Last year, Wilson edged ahead of his young colleague. The 26-year-old recorded his first career 1000 yard campaign (the first Cardinals WR to do so since DeAndre Hopkins in 2020) and averaged 12.9 yards per catch.

Earlier in the week, the Arizona Cardinals agreed to a three-year, $75 million contract extension with Michael Wilson ($25 million per year).

Hall of Fame wide receiver Michael Irvin reacted to Wilson’s extension. The former Dallas Cowboys star claimed he would sign a $60 million/year deal if he were in the NFL right now.

I saw a guy today; he had 73 catches, and got $25M a year. I caught 110 balls, I would be getting $60M a year.

Irvin told Neon on Kick

Michael Irvin was a great receiver. The Cowboys drafted the ex-Miami athlete 11th overall in 1988. In 159 games for America’s team, Irvin caught 750 passes for 11904 yards and scored 65 touchdowns. He won three Super Bowls, five Pro Bowl selections, and three All-Pro selections, and led the league in receiving yards in 1991. Irvin was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007 (on his third year of eligibility).

The biggest player contract Irvin ever signed was in 1995, when the Cowboys agreed to a five-year, $15 million extension ($3 million/year). Irvin’s estimated net worth is between $12 and $15 million. After retirement, he tried his hand in broadcasting.

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The Cardinals made the right decision by extending Michael Wilson’s contract

The Cardinals haven’t had much to celebrate for a while. They last had a deep postseason run in 2016 when they reached the conference championship game. Arizona lost to the Carolina Panthers.

90s Cowboys Star Claims He Would Be Getting $60 Million/Year Contract in Today's Inflated Market
Michael Wilson (Image via Sports Illustrated)

The Kyler Murray era turned out to be a bust. The former first overall pick was released in the offseason, kicking off a period of massive overhaul. The new Cardinals regime under Mike LaFleur made some smart business decisions, including extending Michael Wilson’s contract.

Wilson hasn’t set the league on fire, but he has been reliable in the offense, which can’t be said about Harrison Jr. The Cardinals also extended veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett’s stay. Wilson recorded his first 1000-yard season while receiving from Brissett.  

Unless Harrison Jr. steps up in 2026, Wilson will be Brissett’s go-to receiver. Then again, Arizona’s clear number one receiver is a tight end, Trey McBride. The former second-round pick led the Cardinals in receiving yards the last two campaigns. In 2025, he led all the tight ends with 1239 yards and 11 touchdowns. McBride is also the second-highest-paid player at his position ($19 million/year).

Arizona also has former 5th-round pick Simi Fehoko as additional depth. They also drafted former Texas Tech receiver Reggie Virgil, Notre Dame rusher Jeremiyah Love, and Miami quarterback Carson Beck in 2026.

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