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Micah Parsons before a preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams.

Whenever the time comes for the Dallas Cowboys to extend Micah Parsons, the expectation is for him to become one of the highest-paid non-quarterbacks in NFL history. There’s a very good chance that he becomes the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league’s history, and rightfully so. All Parsons has done throughout the first few years of his NFL career is prove why he’s one of the better players in the league, and there’s a big contract that comes with that.

He’s posted at least 12 sacks in every season he’s played, including 14 in 2023, 13.5 in 2022, and 13 in 2021. He has 52.5 throughout his first four years in the league, and that number should only continue to rise.

A Potential Replacement for Parsons

However, if the Dallas Cowboys want to be smart, they’ll go out and add another big-time edge rusher. ESPN recently predicted him to do just that in the form of Keldric Faulk out of Auburn, and edge, who is widely regarded as a top 15 pick in next year’s draft.

“The Cowboys enter the season still needing to sign Micah Parsons to a long-term extension. While they signed Dante Fowler Jr. this offseason, Dallas needs more on the edge after passing on the position in the 2025 draft. At 6-foot-6, 288 pounds, Faulk is a versatile player who can play along the defensive line, from 3-technique to a true outside edge. He can generate pressure from inside and out, as evidenced by his 24 edge pressures and five interior pressures last season. Faulk’s size and strength would be fun to pair with Parsons’ speed,” they wrote .

Are Parsons and the Cowboys Close on a Deal?

Prior to the Dallas Cowboys having an opportunity to select Faulk, they’ll have to give Parsons his deal. It isn’t a guarantee that it’ll get done, but rumors have started to suggest that they expect the Cowboys and Parsons to reach an agreement on a contract in the near future.

According to USA Today, NFL insider Tom Pelissero stated that both sides have discussed the average annual value, but are reportedly at odds over contract length.

“Tom Pelissero told Rich Eisen over the weekend that Parsons and the Cowboys know the ‘type of contract’ the two sides will agree on in terms of the average annual value. However, contract length is reportedly the lone issue in the deal. The Cowboys tend to like five-year extensions; Parsons will no doubt push for a four-year pact,” USA Today wrote .

Adding Faulk would be an impressive addition for the Cowboys. The soon-to-be junior out of Auburn is coming off a season where he posted 30 solo tackles, seven sacks, and one forced fumble.

He has eight total sacks and is expected to have an even bigger campaign in 2025-26.

For now, however, the Cowboys need to focus on making one of their own happy, which they can do by giving Parsons a new deal.

“And when it does get done, it is expected to make him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter said. “It will be a huge number. It should surpass Myles Garrett. It’ll give Micah Parsons that distinction. And most people believe that deal will get done at some point here in the coming weeks.”

Jon Conahan covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. Since 2019, his sports coverage has appeared at Sports Illustrated, oddschecker, ClutchPoints and Sportskeeda. More about Jon Conahan

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