Delay in Deal May Lead to NFL’s First $200 Million Defender
Micah Parsons is in line to become the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter believes it’s just a matter of time. But if Jerry Jones delays the deal, it could cost the Dallas Cowboys tens of millions.
Schefter predicted in June that Parsons will surpass Myles Garrett’s recent $40 million-per-year contract, calling his production unmatched and pointing out that Parsons is younger than most top-paid defenders like T.J. Watt and Maxx Crosby.
“Micah Parsons I expect to become the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history,” Schefter said.
Parsons, currently on a $24 million fifth-year option, is eligible for an extension now. However, NFL insider Ian Rapoport reports that negotiations have stalled not over money, but the length of the deal. Parsons reportedly wants five years, which would offer more guaranteed money.
Waiting Could Push Total to $201.5 Million Over Five Years
Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport projected that Jones’ hesitation could repeat the costly mistake the Cowboys made with Dak Prescott waiting too long and paying more in the end.
Davenport forecasts that if Dallas doesn’t act now, Parsons could land a five-year, $201.5 million deal, versus the $145 million over four years projected by Spotrac. That difference? A staggering $56 million.
“Parsons is going to get paid. And when he does, he will probably become the first $200 million defender the NFL has ever seen,” Davenport wrote.
Cowboys Must Decide Between Savings or Historic Price Tag
Jones is known for driving hard bargains, but analysts like Mike Florio have criticized the Cowboys owner for playing the waiting game with stars like Prescott. If the team wants to avoid setting a new defensive contract record, the time to act is now.
Otherwise, Jones may find himself handing out the NFL’s first $200M defensive deal and paying dearly for it.
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