By Blessing 
CeeDee Lamb sat out of the Cowboys’ offseason program and training camp in 2024 before finally securing a contract extension. Now, Micah Parsons might face a similar path if he hopes to get a new deal before the 2025 season kicks off.
Parsons is entering the final year of his rookie contract with a fifth-year option, but playing on that option seems unlikely given how underpaid he was in 2024, earning a base salary of just $2.989 million.
Stephen Jones, the Cowboys’ executive vice president, recently spoke to Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports about Parsons’ value to the team. “I don’t think anyone’s ever underestimated Micah’s value in terms of what he can bring,” Jones said. “From the day he walked in the door, he’s been one of those [guys who], when he’s rolling, it’s a problem for the other guys, and they got to find him. They got to figure out how they’re going to go at him.”
Jones remained cautious when asked about the timing of contract talks. “I don’t want to get into the details [of] early, late, when all that comes. Too early for any of that, but obviously Micah is an important part of what we’re about.”
The Cowboys have a history of waiting too long to lock in their stars, often costing them more money in the end. That was the case with both Lamb and Dak Prescott. If they don’t come to an agreement with Parsons soon, they risk waiting for top edge rushers like T.J. Watt or Myles Garrett to reset the market, further driving up the price.
Parsons’ numbers speak for themselves: 52.5 sacks, 112 quarterback hits, and 256 tackles in four seasons. He’s earned Pro Bowl honors four times and made All-Pro twice. With just $17 million earned on his rookie deal, a hefty new contract is overdue — and essential if the Cowboys want him on the field in 2025.