Penn State star Micah Parsons gets $41 million contract update after Steelers' T.J. Watt deal

The Cowboys will have to open up the checkbook now.

Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Former Penn State star Micah Parsons, a member of the Dallas Cowboys, can only be smiling wherever he is right now.

Reports have indicated that Pittsburgh Steelers superstar T.J. Watt has become the highest non-paid quarterback in NFL history. Watt has reached an agreement on a three-year, $123 million extension. His $41 million per year average annual value will again be the highest for a non-quarterback in the NFL for the second time in his career. 

It's already been noted many times that the longer the Cowboys wait on the ex-Penn State star, the worse of an opportunity they'll have to not only keep him around, but also get him for a somewhat reasonable price. 

MORE: Drew Allar listed as Penn State's X Factor this season

Now, many expect that Parsons will be even more expensive, including Jennifer Bubel of EN.AS, who noted that his contract will now start at $41 million per season. 

“T.J. Watt signed a three-year, $121 million deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday that made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history - a title Parsons has been expecting to hold for a while now. Watt’s contract being signed before his makes that very possible still.

“Watt will earn $41 million a year and his contract includes $180 million fully guaranteed. The Cowboys will now have to pay at least that amount to Parsons - a fate they could’ve avoided had they just acted sooner,” she wrote.

Had the Cowboys done what they needed to do a few months ago, it would’ve been possible to get Parsons for around $30 million per year. 

Instead, Jerry Jones continues to make questionable decisions on his top players, and it's only costing him money in the long run.

Category: General Sports