NFL insider: Cowboys not changing urgency level on Micah Parsons contract due to Maxx Crosby

Maxx Crosby was the first of multiple pass rushers to make headlines this offseason. His new contract is a record-setting one, becoming the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. This should just be the beginning, superficially with Micah Parsons set for an extension before the 2025 season.

Some wondered if Crosby would speed up the timeline of an agreement between Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys. According to Jane Slater of the NFL Network, the answer is no. Slater says the Cowboys are still not in a rush to get things done, continuing their trend of recent negotiations.

“Cowboys fans aren’t going to like hearing this but it’s not impacting their sense of urgency so to speak,” Slater said Thursday on NFL Network’s The Insiders. “Remember last year? I had a fun, spirited conversation with Jerry Jones and that led to his comment about ‘Waiting for the leaves to fall.’ I don’t know if the words to describe is ‘Waiting for the leaves to fall’ but they’re not in a rush necessarily to go out and do any pruning right now.

Dallas took some time getting both quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb signed last year. Lamb missed most of training camp due to a holdout, not being with the team until closer to the regular season. Parsons has stated he wants to be settled sooner rather than later.

Slater does add how there are conversations between the two sides. However, most of the conversation is happening between the Cowboys and Parsons’ agent. To this point, the player does not seem to be too involved.

“It’s my understanding they are working with Micah Parons’ agent, they are talking,” Slater said. “But it doesn’t sound like they’re close to anything yet. So they’re still navigating this deal.”

Parsons is widely expected to break the record Crosby just set and become the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback. If anything, Crosby reset the market and may have Dallas paying more than they would have had to a couple days ago.

A former first-round pick of the Cowboys, Parsons instantly became an elite-tier player after moving from linebacker to EDGE. All four seasons have resulted in double-digit sacks for No. 11.

Parsons recorded a career-low 12 this past season but an injury left Parsons on the sideline for four games. A fiery close kept the streak alive and turned around what had been a struggling Cowboys defense.