As the NFL offseason continues, so does Micah Parsons’ uncertain future with the Dallas Cowboys. The elite pass rusher is looking for a big-time extension as he enters the final year of his rookie contract, leaving time to tell if Parsons and the Cowboys can work out a deal before the 2025 regular season begins.

As with most negotiations with star players, money can be the No. 1 obstacle when it comes to putting pen to paper. Although Parsons will likely be paid handsomely no matter what, his latest comments regarding a new contract are bound to leave a bad taste in Cowboys fans’ mouths.

Cowboys Rumors: Micah Parsons Looking to Make At Least $40 Million Annually on Next Contract

Parsons recently sat down for an interview with DLLS Sports’ Clarence Hill Jr. to discuss the veteran defender’s future. Not only did the four-time Pro Bowl defender reveal that negotiations are “coming along well,” he also made it clear exactly what he’s looking to earn annually.

“I just played these last couple years on $2 (million) and $3 million,” Parsons told Hill. “I think if I had $40 million, I’d be the happiest man alive. You go from playing for the league rookie minimum and get that big of a jump. I think anybody would be happy.”

While no one can blame Parsons for wanting to land a big payday, his asking price will likely ruffle some feathers. It was only back in December when the former Penn State disruptor told reporters that he didn’t need to make $40 million annually to be happy.

“I feel like you see a lot of times ‘highest-paid,’ then we say they don’t have weapons, or they don’t have this. So, I would rather just be in the best situation, you know?” Parsons told ESPN‘s Todd Archer. “I don’t think there’s a big difference between $30 million and $40 million in my eyes.”

Things can change on a dime in the NFL, and it’s clear that Parsons now sees the $10 million difference between the two prices. His change in tune likely has to do with Myles Garrett becoming the league’s highest-paid defensive end earlier this month, securing an extension that will pay him $40 million per season with over $123.5 million in guaranteed salary.

Just like Garrett, there’s no denying that Parsons deserves to be paid like one of the best players of his position. Since debuting in 2021, the Cowboys pass rusher has racked up the fifth-most sacks in the NFL (52.5) while being graded by Pro Football Focus as either the best or second-best exterior defender in his first three seasons, as well as sixth in 2024.

With that being said, just because Parsons deserves a high salary, doesn’t change the fact that he just contradicted himself.

Regardless of how much money is potentially on the table, it isn’t a good look for him to go from saying he’ll take a pay cut to help the Cowboys spend more, to essentially backtracking those comments in three months. If anything, it indicates to Dallas fans that the 25-year-old superstar prioritizes getting paid over the team’s long-term success.

Whether or not Parsons will earn more or less than $40 million annually on his next contract remains to be seen. For now, he’ll look to do what he can to improve the Cowboys’ Super Bowl 60 odds, which currently sit at +6000 (22nd) on FanDuel Sportsbook as Week 2 of NFL free agency winds down.