Myles Garrett has officially reset the market for defensive players in the NFL after agreeing to a record-breaking contract extension with the Cleveland Browns. The four-year deal, worth $40 million per year with $123.5 million guaranteed, now makes Garrett the highest-paid defensive player in league history.

The deal didn’t just ensure Garrett’s future in Cleveland — it also caught the attention of several NFL stars, including Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons, who is eligible for an extension this offseason. The ripple effects of Garrett’s contract are already being felt around the league.

Parsons quickly took to social media after news of Garrett’s deal broke. His reaction? Short and clear. “Lol yooo wtf,” Parsons posted on X.

Garrett’s extension significantly raises the bar for defensive contracts. Just days earlier, Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby briefly held the title of highest-paid defensive player with a $35.5 million annual salary. Crosby had toppled the San Francisco 49ers pass-rusher Nick Bosa who was valued $34 million on his annual deal. Now, Garrett has shifted the conversation entirely.

The speed at which the market escalated is noteworthy. In just over a week, the highest-paid defensive player has gone from making $34 million annually to now $40 million — a staggering $6 million increase in such a short span.

The Myles Garrett contract extension is good for Micah Parsons

The timing of Garrett’s contract extension could have a direct impact on Parsons’ future with the Dallas Cowboys. The star linebacker is widely considered one of the best defensive players in the NFL, and his upcoming contract negotiations just got a lot more interesting.

Parsons previously downplayed the idea of making $40 million per year, stating in December that his contract wasn’t about “chasing the highest number.” However, with the market now set at $40 million, Parsons may have more leverage than ever.

The Cowboys are already facing salary cap challenges after extending quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb last offseason. They could soon find themselves making a difficult financial decision. With Parsons’ value skyrocketing, Dallas may need to move quickly before the market climbs even higher.

NFL insider Albert Breer highlighted how teams like the Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals could now feel the pressure. Cincinnati is already preparing to make wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league — a bar that has also shifted with Garrett’s extension.

The conversation is no longer about the quarterbacks. Myles Garrett’s contract has officially changed the landscape, and Parsons may now find himself at the center of it.