In an expected move, the Dallas Cowboys have picked up the fifth-year option on superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons. Yet, the shocker is the designated position that the Cowboys assigned to Parsons for the transaction.
According to The Dallas Morning News, Dallas has designated Parsons as a defensive end for the fifth-year option. Despite Parsons being listed as a linebacker on the Cowboys’ official roster, Dallas strategically decided to list him as a defensive end in this scenario.
What Does This Designation Mean for Micah Parsons?
If the Cowboys designated Parsons as a linebacker, he would be paid more than $24 million in 2025. Since Dallas designated Parsons as a defensive end, he will be paid $21.32 million in the final year of his rookie contract.
Although some might view this as a questionable tactic by the Cowboys, it’s fair to list Parsons as a defensive end considering how much time he spends as an edge rusher.
Parsons lined up on the line of scrimmage for 88% of his total snaps and rushed the passer on 58.4% of his total snaps last season, according to Pro Football Focus.
While there is a chance that Parsons and his agent could argue his designated position on the fifth-year option, it likely won’t matter. The Cowboys are simply exercising this option as the next step in an inevitable massive contract extension for Parsons.
What’s Next for Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys?
It’s no secret that Parsons is viewed as one of the best defensive players in the NFL, and the Cowboys understand how important he is to their success. Although they exercised the fifth-year option and designated him as a defensive end, Parsons will likely never reach that fifth year on his current rookie contract.
According to The Dallas Morning News, Dallas is hoping to sign Parsons to a contract extension within the next year or so. Dallas will meet with Parsons and his agent to eventually iron out an agreement to likely make him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history.
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If a team exercises the fifth-year option of a player’s rookie contract, it usually acts as a placeholder for an eventual contract extension. That will likely be the scenario in Dallas between the Cowboys and Parsons.
However, things could potentially get messy if Parsons hasn’t signed a new contract extension by summer 2025. Players have refused to play on the fifth-year option in the past, yet the Cowboys will likely reward Parsons with a new deal long before that could potentially happen.
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