The Dallas Cowboys have long been expected to pick up the fifth-year option for defensive superstar Micah Parsons. But in picking up that option, it sounds like the team is planning a move that will cost Parsons millions of dollars.
According to a report from Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News, the Dallas Cowboys are expected to designate Micah Parsons as a defensive end instead of a linebacker – a move that will cost him about $2.7 million in terms of salary difference.
“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
It’s worth noting that the Cowboys have labeled Parsons as a linebacker ever since they selected him in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Even though Parsons has technically played most of his career on the line of scrimmage as a defensive end, the Cowboys have continually referred to him as a linebacker publicly on every roster.
Obviously, this designation makes sense for the Cowboys – it saves them a lot of money on his contract – but it’s unlikely that Parsons will be happy about this move as it’s quite costly to him.
