If Mika Parsons didn't miss four games due to injuries this season, he easily becomes the finalist of the Player of the Year – again.
In each of his first four seasons, including this injured season, the Dallas Cowboys' stubborn pass rusher recorded 12 bags. He finished second, second and third in the Players of the Year, who will vote for each in his first three years.
His 52.5 career sack was sixth by a player in one of his first four seasons. He's safe to say he deserves to break the bank.
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The Dallas Cowboys' No. 11 Mika Parsons will respond to the Philadelphia Eagles on November 5, 2023 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. (Mitchell Lev/Getty Images)
Parsons was eligible for an extension last year, but he didn't get it. He is now in his fifth season (obviously Dallas exercised his fifth year option), but without a contract next year, he will be a candidate for the franchise tag.
Parsons says he wants to be a cowboy for the rest of his life and probably loses some leverage at the negotiation table. He even admitted that he doesn't have to be the highest paying defensive player ever.
However, he said he wants to be paid and without a contract he will be restricted at training camp this year.
“I think I'll report because at the end of the day, with all the new coaches, that kind of thing, you need to be around everyone, they need a voice. I'm there. I think I'm in,” he said in a recent interview with ParsonsFox News Digital. “I'm going to be active? Probably not.

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Mika Parsons, #11, will walk the field before his game against the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
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“I want to make sure I'm doing what's necessary to respect my future, but I don't believe in punishing my team. The direction of where we want to be.”
Nick Bosa's $170 million is currently the most money given non-quarterly. For reference, however, Von Miller won $120 million at the age of 32 – Parsons is just 25. A million deal at age 25 and a $141 million deal Brian Burns also signed this past offseason at age 25.
Jerry Jones says there are no plans to trade Mika Parsons. However, given that Dak Prescott and Ceedee Lamb are already combining more than 45% of the team's salary cap, some exploration may be necessary.

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Parsons will be a $24 million cap hit in 2025. This means that the three biggest stars account for about 54% of the cap. He wants more money than that. It's safe to say that if they want to hold their star defenders they need to be creative.
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