Micah Parsons has admitted that he has no desire to start tanking with the Dallas Cowboys to gain a better position in the 2025 draft pick.

The Cowboys reigned victorious on Sunday, beating the Washington Commanders 34-26 despite going into the match-up as massive underdogs. Thanks to the win, the Cowboys advance to 4-7, dismantling their five-game losing streak.

And while many fans will have been overjoyed with the win, others will argue that the side should focus more on their division positioning so they have a better shot at picking top draft prospects in 2025. However, Parsons has admitted that the strategy is nowhere near his itinerary – showing his fierce competitive nature to succeed.

He explained: “I’m not done yet. I don’t plan on tanking. If the higher-ups are looking for a draft pick, I hope that’s ruined, because we got a lot of football left to play. As long as I’m a part of this team, we’re always going to fight.”

Parsons, 25, has impressed since being picked up by the Cowboys in the 2021 draft. The linebacker won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award in his maiden season with the Texas-based side after graduating from Penn State, and continues to perform under pressure. At the time of writing, he has made 238 tackles and 45.5 sacks overall,.

However, the youngster can’t look to far into the future with the Cowboys. While he will undoubtedly remain a part of the set-up in 2025 thanks to his fifth-year option, the winds of fate may take him elsewhere there on after – especially if he defies those higher up and chooses to play for glory rather than draft position.

Meanwhile, NFL legend Terry Bradshaw has also explained that he would trade Parsons to get an extra number one pick in the 2025 draft, and Parsons has previously clashed with coach Mike McCarthy showing that there may have been a hint of unsettlement in the Cowboys camp. But where could Parsons land after the 2025 season is said and done? And what does his future in the NFL look like? Here, Mirror US breaks it down…

Parsons is out of contract after the 2025 season

Parsons is out of contract after the 2025 season ( 

Image:

Getty Images)

Pittsburgh Steelers

While Parsons sits in limbo to see if he will sign a contract extension with the Cowboys, there are a number of other teams which could lure him with lucrative pay packets. The youngster has reportedly admitted that he has no interest in playing for any other sides, but he also said that he could go and play for the Pittsburgh Steelers according to Clarence Hill Jr.

While he could opt for the Philadelphia Eagles should he wish to return to his native Pennsylvania, Parsons reportedly favors the Steelers due to head coach Mike Tomlin. Taking to X earlier this year, Hill Jr wrote: “Parsons has no interest in playing anywhere but with the Cowboys.

“He said it’s important for his legacy and doesn’t want to bounce around. But if he hypothetically did go home later in his career it would be to join the Pittsburgh Steelers not the Philadelphia Eagles, partly because of Mike Tomlin.”

New England Patriots

With the Patriots in need of firepower in terms of offense, signing Parsons may be a bit of a wacky deal. However, Jerod Mayo could bring Parsons to the Patriots to improve defensive firepower in the 2025 draft. Furthermore, signing Parsons could help alleviate the Cowboys of spending a tonne of money down the line in new contracts.

The Cowboys recently gave CeeDee Lamb a $136million extension in August, as well as Dak Prescott a $240million extension in September – and Parsons will be expecting a big money deal when his contract begins to run down to keep him at the AT&T Stadium unless he is transferred out beforehand. The team also have a $273m projected salary cap for 2025 as it stands.

Dallas Cowboys

Parsons himself is confident that he will remain a Cowboys player and bag the contractual extension that he believes that he deserves when his current deal expires in 2026. However, the linebacker has admitted that his focus is more on winning games at present than it is on a big money deal.

Speaking on his The Edge podcast in September, Parsons explained: “I know I’m going to be a Cowboy. There’s nothing like Cowboy Nation. I think the love is very mutual. As for me, I’m just focused on winning games. I want to win those big games. I want to win those playoff games, get to the Super Bowl. For me, the contract is not really what I’m worried about.”

He added: “If a contract or something like that happens [at some point], then that happens. But right now, we’re going to focus on just trying to be legendary, be great and bring championships back to Dallas.”