The Cowboys are getting a little sneaky with Micah Parsons.
The team has selected him as a linebacker every season since drafting him in 2021.
But they are now in a different position, with plans to secure Parsons’ fifth-year option.
The Cowboys have designated Parsons, 24, as an optional defensive end. According to the Dallas Morning News, This will save the team more than $2 million.
According to the report, Parsons will earn just over $24 million in 2025 as a linebacker, but his salary would drop to $21.32 million if he is considered a defensive end.
According to data from Pro Football Focus.Parsons played 87.8 percent of his regular-season snaps on the line of scrimmage, indicating the Cowboys chose a position on the field more similar to Parsons, a three-time Pro Bowler. .
As allowed by the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement, teams have the right to “extend the length of a first-round draft pick’s rookie contract from four to five years.”
After the final game of the regular season, written notification must be provided by the team to the player by May 3 of the following league year.
Parsons’ agent, David Mulugeta, could dispute the position designation, but the defensive star will never play under the terms of his fifth-year option anyway.
The Cowboys are hoping to sign Parsons to a long-term extension, which is expected to make him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history.
If an extension cannot be reached, Parsons will likely hold out until a new contract is agreed upon.
Parsons has been an NFL defensive stalwart since entering the league, racking up 40.5 sacks and 51 tackles for loss in his first three seasons.
The Cowboys also must consider contract extensions for quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who will be free agents after the 2024 season.
