As expected, Micah Parsons will be sticking with the Dallas Cowboys this coming season with the team deciding to pick up his fifth-year option. But in a pretty brutal twist, the Cowboys appear set to make a move that is going to cost Parsons millions of dollars.
According to a report from Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News, the Dallas Cowboys are planning to designate Micah Parsons as a defensive end instead of a linebacker – a difference of about $2.7 million in terms of salary.
“Parsons is receiving his fifth-year option at defensive end, not linebacker, two people familiar with the decision told The Dallas Morning News. 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,” Gehlken wrote for the Dallas Morning News.
Ever since he was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Parsons has been listed by the team as a linebacker – not as a defensive end – even if he has played the majority of his snaps at the line of scrimmage. So this designation is a pretty brutal turn of events for Parsons, and it led to a lot of reactions on social media.
https://twitter.com/davidhelman_/status/1765194504104185880?s=20
There is ample evidence that Parsons should be treated as a LB. I will never understand why teams do this, especially with a star player like Parsons, who will eventually become the highest-paid defender in the NFL. Similar grievances have occurred for Matt Judon and Shaq Barrett https://t.co/SBXn4zQWaa
— Daniel Salib (@salibdaniel1) March 6, 2024
Reminder that NFL position designations are archaic. EDGE, iDL, and off ball LB are much better designations than DE, DT, and LB. https://t.co/FXDm2b7bS1
— Shane Haff (@ShaneHaffNFL) March 6, 2024
Clowney filed a grievance against Houston on a similar situation. The two sided eventually agreed to a roster bonus that split the difference. https://t.co/lOoD8JCHDY
— TexansCap (@TexansCap) March 6, 2024
That’s fine to save over $2 million, BUT the #Cowboys have officially labeled Micah Parsons as a DE, so when it comes time for an extension—his representatives will ask for DE money.
But at the end of the day, does it really matter when he’s going to be the highest paid… https://t.co/N9LHMogKhz
— Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) March 6, 2024
Not smart at all to pinch pennies like that.. they should just pay Micah rather than risk poisoning the well for future negotiations.. https://t.co/Eq9U0dBRDo
— AndrewG (@englishwithandr) March 6, 2024
Parsons is unlikely to be happy about this move.
