Micah Parsons says some Dallas Cowboys ‘need to get paid’ before focusing on free agents

Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons is at the Pro Bowl in Orlando this weekend ahead of what is sure to be intense negotiations over the former first-rounder’s extension. Asked whether he’ll be doing any recruiting work for Dallas with potential free agents at the Pro Bowl, Parsons noted that he wants to see his current teammates get their deals before the front office moves on to free agents.

“Um, well, there’s some guys out here that’s looking for some contracts, but there are some guys on our team that need to get paid first,” Parsons said. “… No names, but we’ll see in March.”

Parsons is heading into the fourth year of his rookie deal in 2024. The Cowboys could opt to exercise his fifth-year option like they did with CeeDee Lamb, but both players will eventually get massive extensions regardless.

Reporters tried to get details out of head coach Mike McCarthy at the end of the season but he wouldn’t budge. It’s in the team’s best interest to keep contract negotiations quiet until they’re done.

“Too early,” McCarthy said. “(Jerry Jones and I) touched on some of those things but it’s really too early to get into that.”

At the Pro Bowl, Parsons is joined by defensive end DeMarcus Lawerence, left guard Tyler Smith, tight end Jake Ferguson, punter Bryan Anger, kicker Brandon Aubrey, cornerback Daron Bland, and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.

Cowboys carry more than a dozen future free agents

Dallas has a lengthy list of upcoming free agents to consider re-signing and multiple stars who are looking for contract extensions. The list of the Cowboys’ top upcoming free agents includes Tyron Smith, Tony Pollard, Stephon Gilmore, Tyler Biadasz, Dorance Armstrong Jr., Jayron Kearse, Jourdan Lewis, Johnathan Hankins, Neville Gallimore, Dante Fowler Jr., Chuma Edoga, Noah Igbinoghene and Rico Dowdle.

Veteran Tyron Smith last signed a major contract for eight years, $97.6 million in 2014. McCarthy called Smith’s play the season his best since he took over the team in 2020, which bodes well for his potential deal-making this offseason.

“Biggest thing for Tyron, we talked about the path of this season, this is clearly his best season that I’ve experienced with him,” McCarthy said of the former USC star. “He felt really good about that. Just the fact that he’s not going into the offseason with surgeries is a big plus. We’ll continue talking about it moving forward.”

After end-of-season player meetings, the team announced the signing of eight players to Reserve/Future contracts, with three more the following day. Those signees are among the first to know what their situation will be this offseason.