When the Dallas Cowboys traded two-time All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, it sent shockwaves through the NFL in more ways than one.
In addition to its ramifications on the Packers, Cowboys and the NFL playing field, Parsons' massive extension continued a prevailing storyline this year of soaring salaries for non-quarterbacks -- namely pass rushers and wide receivers.
The contract market for the highest paid non-QB in the league has exploded this year with five players leading at some point, culminating with Parsons now earning $47 million annually on his four-year, $188 million deal.
NFL Research offers a deeper look at Parsons' contract and the ever-rising non-QB market:
- Entering 2025, Justin Jefferson held the record for the highest paid non-QB by APY at $35.0M
- Maxx Crosby took the lead with a $35.5M APY extension signed on March 5
- Myles Garrett moved past Crosby with a $40.0M APY extension signed on March 9
- Ja'Marr Chase set the market with a $40.25M APY extension signed on March 17
- T.J. Watt led with a $41.0M APY extension signed on July 17
- Parsons currently leads with a $47.0M APY extension signed on Aug. 28
Non-QB market APY leaders -- 2025 offseason
Player, Position | Team | APY | Date |
---|---|---|---|
Micah Parsons, Edge | Packers | $47M | Aug. 28 |
T.J. Watt, Edge | Steelers | $41M | July 17 |
Ja'Marr Chase, WR | Bengals | $40.25M | March 17 |
Myles Garrett, Edge | Browns | $40M | March 9 |
Maxx Crosby, Edge | Raiders | $35.5M | March 5 |
> Each was largest APY by non-QB in NFL history at time of signing
By going from $35 million to $47 million, the top of the non-QB market has grown by 34.3% in 2025.
- In 2024, that market only grew 2.9% (Nick Bosa's $34 million to Jefferson's $35 million)
- In 2023, that market grew $10.5% (Aaron Donald's $31.7 million to Bosa's $34 million)
- In 2022, that market grew $13.1% (Watt's $28 million to Donald's $31.7 million)
- In 2021, that market grew 2.8% (DeAndre Hopkins' $27.25 million to Watt's $28 million)
From Hopkins' 2021 extension with the Arizona Cardinals to Jefferson's June 2024 extension with the Vikings, the top of the non-QB market increased by 28.4%. Yet, in 2025 alone -- from Jefferson to Parsons -- it has risen 34.3%.