Technically, the Cowboys have classified Micah Parsons as a linebacker since he was drafted in 2020. They haven't changed his position on the open roster in three seasons, even though he's spent most of his career at the line of scrimmage at defensive end.
In a long-anticipated decision, the team is picking up his fifth-year option.
The focus is on where it is located.
Parsons will pick up his fifth-year option at defensive end, not linebacker, two people familiar with the decision said. dallas morning news. Parsons, a linebacker, will earn just over $24 million in 2025, the final season of his rookie contract. His 2025 salary as a defensive end will be $21.32 million.
NFL teams can add a fifth season to a first-round pick's contract after the third season of the player's contract.
This is the first time Parsons' position has had any impact on his compensation.
The Cowboys chose a position that more closely matches the three-time Pro Bowler's on-field usage. According to Pro Football Focus, Parsons spent more time in the defensive line meeting room than linebacker last year, but will play 87.8% of his regular-season snaps at the line of scrimmage in 2023.
If Parsons' representation is forced, there could be a dispute between him and the team over his position assignment. Again, anyone familiar with David Mulugeta knows that the option salary probably doesn't matter because Parsons probably won't be on the field under him.
The Cowboys hope to sign Parsons to a long-term contract within the next year. If the deal goes through, he is expected to become the highest-paid defenseman in NFL history. If the extension does not take place by his mid-April 2025, Parsons will logically follow the same strategy as another prominent Mulugeta client.
Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James played four seasons on his rookie contract, remaining with him through 2022 with a fifth-year option remaining. He missed the first three weeks of training camp. The impasse ended with James signing a contract extension that would make him the highest-paid safety in NFL history.
Mulugeta's customers aren't the only ones holding out during the fifth-year option period.
San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Nick Bosa did the same thing last year.
Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb could be next. He's coming off a season in which he caught 135 passes for 1,749 yards and 10 touchdowns and is owed $17.99 million on his fifth-year option in 2024. It would make sense for Lamb to refrain from reporting for spring and training camp, if necessary, until he signs a long-term contract.
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