ARLINGTON – This week, with contract talk the centerpiece subject, Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons issued a fairly bold claim. “I think I’m the best player in the world,” said Parsons, who entered “Sunday Night Football” against the Bucs with 49 sacks.

“I don’t throw numbers out there like that. I’ll see what they’re willing to give me.” He was talking about contractually, where if he’s “the best player in the world,” Micah seems slated to soon make $40 million per year or so, placing him as the highest-paid non-QB in the history of the sport.

And now after picking up another sack on Sunday in the 26-24 win over the Bucs here at AT&T Stadium?

Well, it’s 50 sacks. And it’s a milestone. Parsons dealt with a flu bug over the weekend that figured to slow him a bit.

But the two-time All-Pro edge was a dynamic force against the Bucs despite having been listed as questionable. And he ended up making NFL history.

Parsons recorded a sack against Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield marking his 50th career sack.

What’s that mean? The 25-year-old is now just the sixth player in NFL history to record 50 sacks in his first four seasons.

The NFL also noted that Parsons is now one of the fastest players in league history to reach the 50-sack mark. “Micah Parsons knows how to get to the QB quickly ” the NFL wrote on social media.

Parsons just joined a class of defensive player that includes the likes of legends such as Reggie White, Derrick Thomas and Dallas’ own DeMarcus Ware …

Those guys are all Hall of Famers … among the best players in the world. And increasingly, Micah can justifiably keep saying the same thing about himself.