Last year, looming contract extensions for Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb dominated discussions around the Dallas Cowboys. With both of those players paid, the focus has shifted to Micah Parsons.
Hoping to return to playoff contention, Dallas has a few key moves to make this offseason. Keeping an All-Pro rusher like Parsons should lead the team’s to-do list. How much would it cost for the Cowboys to keep Parsons in Dallas?
Even in an injury-affected 2024, Parsons still stood out as one of the league’s best rushers. He finished the year with 43 tackles, 23 quarterback hits, 12 tackles for loss and 12 sacks.
Although it’s early in the offseason, the -rushing market has already seen plenty of movement. Players like Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby have received massive extensions that will keep them with their franchises for the foreseeable future. Let’s break down the list of the NFL’s highest-paid defenders, based on average annual salary:
(Note: Salary figures were provided by Spotrac)
1. Browns DE Myles Garrett
Contract average: $40 million
2024 stats: 47 tackles, 28 quarterback hits, 22 tackles for loss and 14 sacks
2. Raiders DE Maxx Crosby
Contract average: $35.5 million
2024 stats: 45 tackles, 20 quarterback hits, 17 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks
3. 49ers DE Nick Bosa
Contract average: $34 million
2024 stats: 52 tackles, 24 quarterback hits, 15 tackles for loss and nine sacks
4. Chiefs DT Chris Jones
Contract average: $31.75 million
2024 stats: 37 tackles, 20 quarterback hits, nine tackles for loss and five sacks
5. Jaguars OLB Joshua Hines-Allen
Contract average: $28.25 million
2024 stats: 45 tackles, 19 quarterback hits, 10 tackles for loss and eight sacks
6. Giants DE Brian Burns
Contract average: $28.2 million
2024 stats: 71 tackles, 18 quarterback hits, 17 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks
7. Steelers OLB T.J. Watt
Contract average: $28 million
2024 stats: 61 tackles, 27 quarterback hits, 19 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks
8. Raiders DT Christian Wilkins
Contract average: $27.5 million
2024 stats: 17 tackles, six quarterback hits, six tackles for loss and two sacks
t-9. Texans OLB Danielle Hunter
Contract average: $24.5 million
2024 stats: 46 tackles, 23 quarterback hits, 17 tackles for loss and 12 sacks
t-9. Bears DE Montez Sweat
Contract average: $24.5 million
2024 stats: 32 tackles, 12 quarterback hits, nine tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks
t-9. Ravens DT Nnamdi Madubuike
Contract average: $24.5 million
2024 stats: 43 tackles, 17 quarterback hits, 11 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks
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