With the ever-increasing wage limit and the market worth of premium positions continuing to grow, the Dallas Cowboys are going to get into a big problem. Dak Prescott and top wide receiver CeeDee Lamb both need new long-term contracts.
Oh, and don’t forget about pass-rushing sensation Micah Parsons, who is rapidly reaching his own hefty record-breaking contract to stay in Dallas. The Jacksonville Jaguars signed Josh Allen to a five-year, $150 million contract extension earlier this week, which could signal action on Parsons’ front.
That is a $30 million annual value for Allen, who had a career-best 17.5 sack campaign last season during his contract year. When comparing Allen to Parsons over the last three seasons, the Cowboys’ standout has a clear advantage:
Allen = 32 sacks, 109 pressures in 50 games
Parsons = 40.5 sacks, 131 pressures in 50 games
Parsons’ fair market worth now leans closer to Aaron Donald’s. Consider Donald’s previous contract with the Los Angeles Rams, which was worth $95 million over three years. Donald had an annual deal at $31.6 million. Given market inflation, Parsons should be looking at a minimum AAV of $32 million.
Would Parsons’ camp and the Cowboys agree to a suggested arrangement that would pay him $160 million over five years? This outperforms both Allen’s figure and Donald’s contract.
Parsons is preparing to set financial records for defensive players. Parsons will not only want a greater salary than Allen and Donald, but he will also scrutinize Nick Bosa’s record-breaking contract. The San Francisco 49ers signed Bosa to a five-year, $170 million contract, which is already paying off for the team.
Since 2021-22, Bosa has outperformed Parsons in pass-rush statistics such as sacks (44 vs. 40) and pressures (149 vs. 131), but everyone knows the next in line is about to make history. Every offseason, record-breaking contracts for quarterbacks, wide receivers, cornerbacks, and defensive linemen become the new standard.
Jerry Jones and the Cowboys’ front office must be prepared to pay Parsons more than they imagined, since he will demand $35 million or more each year.
So, is Dallas willing to spend up to $175 million over the course of five years?
Leave a Reply