The Dallas Cowboys are set to exercise the fifth-year option on pass-rusher Micah Parsons' contract. While the decision itself is not surprising, an intriguing detail has emerged.
The Cowboys are designating the option for Parsons as a defensive end instead of his usual linebacker classification, according to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News.
The decision to designate the 24-year-old as a defensive end for the fifth-year option may be driven by financial considerations.
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In the final year of his contract in 2025, if classified as a linebacker, Parsons would earn $24 million, whereas the salary for a defensive end is slightly lower at $21.32 million.
This savvy choice will allow the Cowboys to save about $2.7 million. NFL teams can extend the initial four-year contract of any first-round pick by adding a fifth season. This extension can be exercised three seasons into the player's rookie contract.
Parsons was the Cowboys' 12th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. In his debut season, he was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Additionally, he earned First Team All-Pro recognition in 2021 and 2022 and Second Team All-Pro honors in 2023.
Data drive Cowboys' choice
While officially listed as a linebacker, the three-time Pro Bowl selection has predominantly played in the defensive end position over the past two seasons.
Pro Football Focus reports that Parsons played 87.8 percent of his snaps as a defensive end in the 2023 season.
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