Parsons pointed to other contracts as the basis for what he expects from the Cowboys. Myles Garrett agreed to a four-year extension averaging $40 million annually from the Cleveland Browns in March, while the Pittsburgh Steelers agreed this week to make edge rusher T.J. Watt the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.

Micah Parsons knows how it all ends, this contract negotiation with the Dallas Cowboys stretching into a second year. He still wondered aloud why ownership is taking its time as the market jumps to new heights.

And Spotrac's most up-to-date projection of the Penn State alum mirrors Schefter's projection, a four-year, $145 million deal that would average out to $36.3 million, keeping the star in Arlington at least until 2029.