When Steelers insider Gerry Dulac revealed on The Rich Eisen Show that T.J. Watt wants to be the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league, it added immediate financial pressure on teams negotiating edge rusher extensions, especially Dallas. With Watt currently earning $28 million per year, that implies a new ask in the neighborhood of $40–45 million AAV, eclipsing even Myles Garrett ($40M) and Ja’Marr Chase ($40.25 M). What might’ve been a $38–40 million extension for Micah Parsons. into something far costlier, just as the Cowboys enter the narrow window to extend him before camp.

Micah Parsons reported to mandatory minicamp fully present—participating in drills, engaging with teammates, and even sharing a sideline chat with Jerry and Stephen Jones—yet remains locked into his $24 million fifth-year option with no extension finalized. Sources say internal discussions between the Cowboys and Parsons’ agent, David Mulugheta, have been active but stalled over key terms like AAV and guarantees. Meanwhile, Parsons has watched his production (52.5 sacks in 63 games, four straight Pro Bowls) translate into rising barometers: Maxx Crosby ($35.6 M), Myles Garrett ($40 M), and now Watt all come with larger price tags—lifting the market he’s poised to reset. 

Cowboys officials have explained that holding off on Parsons’ extension preserves salary-cap flexibility and allows them to collect more data before committing. But that patience has proven costly: Parsons himself warned, “It’s going to cost them more,” referencing talking points from Clarence Hill and Dallas insiders about Watt’s demands and the upward trajectory of edge‑rusher deals. If Parsons arrives at training camp later this month without a new deal, something multiple insiders suggest, it could trigger a “hold-in”. But it is also what casts his brother Terrence into the spotlight, just as Dallas finds itself cornered in the public narrative.

On the July 2 episode of Cowboys First with Terrence Parsons, Parsons Jr. zeroed in on Micah’s elite impact, saying, “When you look at Micah’s stats and they read like that over the last two seasons, first impression rate, first and double team rate,” he’s talked film-grade disruption. Indeed, in 2024 Parsons tallied 70 QB pressures (5th among edge rushers), a 91.6 PFF pass-rush grade (4th), and a 90.0 overall defensive grade (6th). Even more telling: opponents allowed just 17.8 PPG when he was on the field versus 25.2 PPG when he was off, which really brings out how his presence swings game plans and outcomes. His follow-up, “Like, what are we doing? What are we doing, man?” hits harder when you realize that 35% of his pass-rush snaps draw double teams, making each game plan read a testament to his value. Then he laid down the investment roadmap:

Image Rights: IMAGO“This is an elite guy. This is a guy that you pay top money to and he’s 26 years old. You pay him in, you lock him up for a long time. A long time. as long as you possibly can.” By repeating “long time,” he hints at the need for a multi-year, high-AAV deal before clarifying why that long-term commitment isn’t typical for others: “You know, if it’s not a Aiden Hutchinson, you know, or a Jared Bur in a couple years, you’re not looking to pay those guys top dollar, man. Not if not not for long periods of time, for maybe three years max.” 

Here, Terrence is drawing a line in the sand: elite, young defenders like Parsons are worth uncommon investment, unlike rookies or older pass-rushers who command shorter, mid-tier agreements. With peers like Watt and Garrett setting new benchmarks, the market projects even higher for Parsons. 

Closing, he stated: “Micah is here now, here to stay, man.” In one cohesive narrative, Terrence’s words tie together elite stats, prime-age, structural contract strategy, and market context, making a blueprint Dallas can’t ignore.

t resets, and his leverage grows. What started as a $30 million discussion might soon require $45 million. And by the time Jerry Jones finally opens the vault, he might’ve moved the whole bank.