TJ Watt‘s historic three-year, $123 million contract extension may have set the blueprint for Dallas Cowboys in resigning star pass rusher Micah Parsons. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Watt isn’t expected to be the highest-paid non quarterback in the NFL for very long.

“Watt’s, deal is just a baseline here for Parsons, who I expect to surpass all the pass rushers because he’s only 26 years old,” Fowler said on SportsCenter Saturday morning. “He’s got the best four-year start to an NFL career as a rusher since Reggie White, so he’s in a prime position here to cash in a big way.

“The Cowboys are dedicated to doing something with Parsons. They have slow-played it a bit. We’ve seen this in the past with Dallas. Could be similar to CeeDee Lamb, who got his deal last year in about late August or so.”

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is known for wanting to sign his high-profile players to long-term contracts. However, previous reports hint that the annual salary of his contract isn’t the only thing holding up negotiations. Dallas likes to secure their stars long-term, and Parsons may not want to be locked into a five or even a six-year deal.

At 26, he wouldn’t reach the free agency market until his early 30s if this was the case as opposed to a couple of years younger with a shorter deal. Additionally, getting a shorter contract could ensure more money down the line on his next deal. At the end of the day, however, Parsons wants to win in Dallas.

“I think the frustration from Parsons side is more like, ‘Hey, we could do something special here as a team. I want to get going, get this deal done and passed.’ But he knows the game. He knows it’s going to take a little bit of time (in Dallas).”

The Cowboys will benefit from having an improved offensive unit in 2025. While there are question marks surrounding the running back room, QB Dak Prescott will be healthy after ending his season prematurely in 2024, and acquired WR George Pickens in a trade from the Steelers to pair him with CeeDee Lamb out wide.

Dallas will kick off the 2025 NFL season with a key matchup against the reigning Super Bowl Champions, the Philadelphia Eagles on the road in Week 1. Will Parsons have his new deal by then? Only time will tell.