Cowboys Rumors: Micah Parsons' Contract Option Picked Up as DE, Not LB; Saves $2.7M

The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly picking up the fifth-year option on Micah Parsons' rookie contract and classifying him as a defensive end rather than a linebacker, per Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News, a deal that will save the team a little under $3 million.

Per that report, "as a linebacker, Parsons would earn a little more than $24 million in 2025, the final season of his rookie contract. As a defensive end, his 2025 salary will be $21.32 million."

Parsons will be under contract for the 2024 season on a $2.9 million base salary and $2.4 million signing bonus before his fifth-year option kicks in for the 2025 campaign.

The superstar pass-rusher is a unique case when it comes to classifying positions, as he plays all over the field and was originally drafted as a linebacker. He's emerged as one the most effective players in the NFL at pressuring the quarterback, however, finishing the 2023 season with 14 sacks, 18 tackles for loss, 33 quarterback hits, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

According to Pro Football Focus (h/t Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk), Parsons played 87.8 percent of his snaps at defensive end in 2023. So even if his agent, David Mulugheta, filed a grievance regarding the positional classification, it's possible the Cowboys would win that dispute.

Granted, it will all be a moot point if the sides are able to agree to a long-term extension before his fifth-year option kicks in.

Given that he's emerged as one of the NFL's most prominent game-changing talents, it's hard to imagine the Cowboys won't push for that outcome, though Parsons likely will seek a deal that makes him the highest-paid defender in league history.

That distinction belongs to Nick Bosa, who penned a five-year, $170 million deal ahead of the 2023 season that leads all defensive players in terms of total money, average annual value ($50 million) and money guaranteed at signing ($88 million).

Signing Parsons to a deal in that range—along with securing long-term extensions for quarterback Dak Prescott and wideout CeeDee Lamb, all while maintaining a competitive roster around them—is going to require some real cap gymnastics from the Dallas front office. The Cowboys may have developed a habit of disappointing in the postseason, but their title hopes will completely vanish without that trio in place.