A San Francisco star and the golden boy in Dallas meet on Sunday night.
The 49ers and Cowboys play on "Sunday Night Football" this week with the all-time record notched at 19-19-1 when they take the field. Of course, it wouldn't be a 49ers-Cowboys matchup without some superstar players.
Niners edge Nick Bosa and Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons are two of the NFL's best at getting after the quarterback, and while they don't directly compete with each other, plenty of fans are likely curious: Who's better?
As the two teams take the field this weekend, there's no clear answer. Both have been named to All-Pro teams, both have been named the Defensive Rookie of the Year, and both have been to multiple Pro Bowls. So while there isn't a definitive answer to "Who's better?," maybe one of their performances this weekend will provide some more clarity in the debate.
MORE: Why Micah Parsons fell in the 2021 draft
Here's how the two players stack up:
Nick Bosa contract details
If there's any one area where Bosa is head-and-shoulders above of Micah Parsons for now, it's his contract. Bosa signed a five-year, $170 million deal prior to the start of the 2023 season, making him one of the highest paid players in all of football.
Bosa's deal contains $122.5 million in guaranteed money and a $50 million signing bonus, which is a record for a defensive player. Bosa's contract is most expensive deal for a defensive player in NFL history, surpassing the $141 million deal signed by Khalil Mack in September 2018.
Bosa's deal pays him $34 million average annual value over the life of his contract.
MORE: A deeper look at Nick Bosa's mega-contract with the 49ers
Micah Parsons contract details
Parsons is still playing out his rookie contract, so he hasn't had the opportunity to cash in big just yet. Still, he's earning a nice chunk of change in the interim.
As the No. 11 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Parsons signed a four-year, $17,079,793 deal with the Cowboys. It's fully guaranteed, and it contained a signing bonus.
Parsons will be eligible for a contract extension following this season, so there's a good chance the young edge rusher will be looking to cash in on three seasons in which he was underpaid. If he continues his current trajectory, don't be surprised to see Parsons cash in on a contract that rivals what Bosa is making.
Nick Bosa stats
Bosa has been one of the NFL's best pass rushers in each season he's been in the league.
Now in Year 5, Bosa has tallied 55 sacks over those five years, and he's coming off a 19-sack season in 2022.
Here's what to know about Bosa's year-by-year pressure and sack stats, per PFF:
| Year | Pressures (total) | Sacks | Grade (pass rush) | Grade (defense) |
| 2019 | 102 | 14 | 85.6 | 89.8 |
| 2020 | 5 | 0 | 68.9 | 84.9 |
| 2021 | 88 | 21 | 90.0 | 89.4 |
| 2022 | 98 | 19 | 90.6 | 90.6 |
| 2023 | 20 | 1 | 92.7 | 93.8 |
Micah Parsons stats
Parsons entered the league with very little pass-rush experience at Penn State, though he was a five-star recruit as a defensive end out of high school. As a Nittany Lion, Parsons tallied just 6 1/2 sacks over 26 games in college.
Still, Parsons wasted no time getting re-acclimated with the position — and the quarterback — when he switched to defensive end prior to Week 2 in 2021.
Since then, Parsons has been one of the game's elite pass rushers on a sack and pressure basis. Here's what to know about Parsons' stats in the NFL, per PFF:
| Year | Pressures (total) | Sacks | Grade (pass rush) | Grade (defense) |
| 2021 | 70 | 14 | 93.0 | 89.7 |
| 2022 | 106 | 15 | 92.0 | 91.8 |
| 2023 | 27 | 4 | 91.0 | 92.1 |
Micah Parsons vs. Nick Bosa: Who's better?
If you're looking for a barstool debate topic or want to stick it to your friend's rival, there's no clearcut answer as to who's the better player. Both are solid run defenders. Both players are elite pass rushers. Both are game-breaking talents.
If you're looking for any edge in the debate, then versatility might be one. Parsons may be a bit more of an athletic freak and chess piece than Bosa, and that's evident in how he's deployed.
In 2023, Parsons has taken snaps at 14 different defensive positions, from linebacker to nose tackle. Bosa has traditionally been used on an edge, taking snaps at just six different spots on the field for defense. That makes Parsons a bit more of a Swiss army knife player.
Still, both the Cowboys and 49ers should be glad that they have elite edge talent on their team — and cursing the fact that their rivals have some, too.
