Parsons: 'I don't think there's a better career' than retiring a Cowboy
Micah Parsons is eligible to sign an extension ahead of his fourth NFL season, but the Cowboys star said he isn't worried about his contract situation. Instead, the All-Pro edge rusher is focused on following in the footsteps of other Dallas legends and building a legacy with the team.
"When you talk about career and legacy, I don't think there's a better career you can have than when you're playing for the star, and you have a chance to be the best with the star, and you retire a Cowboy," Parsons said, according to ESPN's Todd Archer. "You look at (Jason) Witten, you look at Michael Irvin, you look at Emmitt (Smith), you see they're still in the community, still active. The star holds so much weight and the legacy that brings."
Parsons continued, "Look at Charles (Haley), he still bothers me in the locker room every week. There's nothing like wearing the star when you do it the right way."
Parsons has finished top-three in Defensive Player of the Year voting in all three of his NFL seasons. The 2021 first-round pick has also claimed three All-Pro berths (two first-team selections) and the 2021 Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
The 25-year-old has two years left on his contract, including his rookie deal's fifth-year option worth $21.3 million.
Though he'll likely become the NFL's highest-paid defensive player when he inks an extension, it might be a while until the Cowboys reward him with a new deal. Under the ownership of Jerry Jones, the team has often opted to wait to sign their stars to long-term deals. Besides, Dallas has two offensive cornerstones entering contract years in quarterback Dak Prescott and receiver CeeDee Lamb.
"The contract stuff will always take care of itself," Parsons said. "Winning games is what I need to take care of. I focus on winning games and making plays and getting sacks. Jerry could meet up with (my) agent later, and they handle all that other stuff. I don't know how that goes. I'm on my first deal, and I know I got two years left here, so I'm going to try to maximize those as much as possible."
Lamb is holding out of training camp while negotiating a new deal. Prescott continues to have conversations with Dallas but admitted Thursday that playing for another team "may be a reality" after the 2024 campaign.
Meanwhile, Parsons said he can't see himself wearing different colors in the league.
"I want to be here my whole life," he said. "I plan on building a house here and being in Dallas forever. I love the city. I love the community. I love for what it stands for."
In 50 NFL games, Parsons has racked up 40.5 sacks, including a career-high 14 in 2023.