Cowboys Trade Star Pass-Rusher Micah Parsons to Packers for Clark, Two First-Round Picks
Cowboys Trade Star Pass-Rusher Micah Parsons to Packers for Clark, Two First-Round Picks
The Dallas Cowboys have traded two-time All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers, acquiring Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark along with the Packers’ first-round selections in 2026 and 2027. The Packers simultaneously signed the 26-year-old Parsons to a four-year, $188 million extension containing $136 million guaranteed, the richest deal ever for a non-quarterback. Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said the club chose picks and interior line help over a record-setting salary for Parsons, whom he described as “so pleasant” during his four seasons in Dallas. Jones added that the haul gives Dallas four first-round picks across the next two drafts and hinted those assets could be packaged for additional veteran talent before the season begins. Jones framed the move as a response to persistent run-defence problems, noting Clark’s arrival addresses “an area the Cowboys had concerns in.” He also revealed that negotiations with Parsons had stalled after what he believed was a five-year proposal averaging roughly $40.5 million annually earlier in the off-season. Reaction around the league was swift. Former Cowboys star Michael Irvin had publicly guaranteed Parsons would remain in Dallas minutes before the trade was announced, while analysts such as Dan Orlovsky called the deal “one of the worst” in franchise history. Others, including ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit, praised Dallas for prioritising locker-room culture and future flexibility. Dallas and Green Bay are scheduled to meet in Week 4, ensuring an early look at the consequences of the most audacious trade of the NFL off-season.
TThe New York Times
3 months
Micah Parsons Turns 26 With 52.5 Sacks, 3x All-Pro, Butkus Award, and 4x Pro Bowler Honors
Micah Parsons Turns 26 With 52.5 Sacks, 3x All-Pro, Butkus Award, and 4x Pro Bowler Honors
Micah Parsons, the Dallas Cowboys linebacker, celebrated his 26th birthday on May 26, 2025. Over his four NFL seasons, Parsons has accumulated 52.5 career sacks, placing him among elite pass rushers such as Derrick Thomas (58 sacks), Myles Garrett (57.5), JJ Watt (57), and Danielle Hunter (54.5) by the same age. Parsons has earned multiple accolades including NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (2021), three All-Pro selections, four Pro Bowl appearances, the Butkus Award (2021), and inclusion in the All-Rookie Team (2021). He has recorded 256 tackles and nine forced fumbles to date. Parsons' on-field performance and rising profile have generated positivity around the Cowboys, with his recent new haircut gaining viral attention on social media. Analysts and ranking platforms such as Pro Football Focus (PFF) continue to evaluate top edge defenders, with Parsons frequently mentioned alongside other top players like Myles Garrett, TJ Watt, and Nick Bosa, who was ranked fourth-best edge defender by PFF heading into the 2025 season.
DDallas Cowboys
6 months
Micah Parsons Confirms Cowboys Minicamp Attendance, Cites $24 Million Salary and Super Bowl Ambitions
Micah Parsons Confirms Cowboys Minicamp Attendance, Cites $24 Million Salary and Super Bowl Ambitions
Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons has confirmed he will attend the team's mandatory minicamp next week, despite ongoing contract negotiations. Parsons, entering the final year of his rookie contract, stated, 'I will be there! I haven't missed a minicamp in 4 years!' and emphasized, 'Even though the contract is not done, I have teammates and a playbook! I'm ready to win a Super Bowl!' He also noted the situation is 'in the owner's hands.' Head coach Brian Schottenheimer expressed his expectation that Parsons would be present, citing positive communication and Parsons' adherence to offseason requests. Parsons recently returned from travel and was seen at the Cowboys' facility at the end of organized team activities (OTAs), though he did not participate in practice. Contract extension talks between Parsons' agent, David Mulugheta, and the Cowboys remain stalled, with no significant progress reported by executive vice president Stephen Jones. Parsons is set to earn $24 million in 2025 under his fifth-year option, and is seeking a new deal that could make him one of the highest-paid non-quarterbacks in the NFL. Parsons indicated that his participation in training camp may depend on the status of his contract extension. Cornerback Trevon Diggs continues to rehab from a knee injury in Miami, with coaches reporting 'all signs are positive' but providing no timeline for his return. Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones stated there are no imminent roster additions and specifically denied speculation about acquiring Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
PProFootballTalk
5 months
Micah Parsons Expects Record Deal After Minicamp Talks With Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones
Micah Parsons Expects Record Deal After Minicamp Talks With Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones
Dallas Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons used the club’s three-day mandatory minicamp in Frisco this week to signal that a record-setting contract extension is imminent. Speaking after the first practice, the two-time All-Pro said he expects to become the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history. Parsons confirmed that he and owner Jerry Jones have agreed on the broad parameters of the deal and that Jones will contact agent David Mulugheta to finalize terms. “Jerry Jones gives the green light… it’s up to him,” Parsons said, adding that negotiations will not interrupt his preparation for the season. The 25-year-old participated in individual drills on Tuesday and Wednesday and took part in Thursday’s walk-through, but he did not join full-speed team periods. Dallas also set a joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams for Aug. 5 in Oxnard, California, ahead of the teams’ preseason opener at SoFi Stadium on Aug. 9.
DDenver Broncos
5 months
Cowboys’ Schottenheimer Confident Micah Parsons Will Play Season Opener
Cowboys’ Schottenheimer Confident Micah Parsons Will Play Season Opener
Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said he is "confident" that star edge rusher Micah Parsons will play in the club’s Sept. 4 regular-season opener against the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles, despite the player’s unresolved contract dispute. Parsons, 26, formally requested a trade on Aug. 1 after negotiations over a long-term extension stalled. The Cowboys have indicated they have no intention of moving the four-time Pro Bowler, who is entering the final season of his rookie deal. Owner Jerry Jones earlier this month said he was "absolutely not" sure Parsons would be available for Week 1, but Schottenheimer’s remarks suggest the team expects the stand-off to ease before kickoff. Parsons has amassed 52.5 sacks in four NFL seasons, making his availability pivotal for a defense facing the league’s reigning champions.
SSports Illustrated
3 months
Cowboys Send Micah Parsons to Packers, Target Run-Defense Fix
Cowboys Send Micah Parsons to Packers, Target Run-Defense Fix
Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones confirmed that the team has traded star defender Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers. The deal brings Dallas several draft picks and an unnamed Pro Bowl player who, according to Jones, plays in a position where the Cowboys have long needed reinforcement. Jones said the primary objective of the transaction is to strengthen the club’s run defense, an area he acknowledged has been a persistent weakness “for several years.” He added that the newly acquired draft selections could be packaged in additional trades if the Cowboys identify further roster needs ahead of the season.
AAri Meirov
3 months
Micah Parsons Entering Fifth Rookie Year Without New Deal as Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones Reveals Cancer Battle and Faces Criticism
Micah Parsons Entering Fifth Rookie Year Without New Deal as Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones Reveals Cancer Battle and Faces Criticism
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons is entering the fifth year of his rookie contract without a new deal, with no contract talks having taken place between Parsons and the Cowboys since his public statement. According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, the two sides are further from an agreement than they were in early April 2025. Despite the ongoing contract impasse, former NFL player Chris Jones expressed confidence that Parsons will remain with the Cowboys. The situation has drawn public criticism from actor and Cowboys fan Denzel Washington, who criticized team owner Jerry Jones for prioritizing financial interests over winning. Separately, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, aged 82, revealed that he survived a stage 4 skin cancer battle that lasted over a decade and involved four surgeries.
FFox News
3 months
Kevin Durant Predicts Micah Parsons Will Join Commanders Within Two Years
Kevin Durant Predicts Micah Parsons Will Join Commanders Within Two Years
NBA star—and longtime Washington Commanders supporter—Kevin Durant said during an on-stage interview at Fanatics Fest on 22 June that he expects Dallas Cowboys All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons to suit up for Washington "at some point" in his career, adding, “I would say two years from now.” Parsons, who was also at the event, responded that he “only rocks with Dan Quinn,” a nod to his former Cowboys defensive coordinator who became Washington’s head coach this offseason. Neither the Cowboys nor the Commanders have commented, and no trade discussions have been reported. Durant’s remarks amount to speculation but add fuel to fan debate about Parsons’s long-term future as he becomes eligible for a contract extension next year.
MMLFootball
5 months
Cowboys Risk Higher Price as Micah Parsons Seeks Shorter Extension
Cowboys Risk Higher Price as Micah Parsons Seeks Shorter Extension
Dallas Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons warned that the club’s delay in negotiating a long-term contract will raise the eventual price, saying of the talks, “It’s going to cost them more.” The 25-year-old, who is entering the final season of his rookie deal and is set to earn roughly $24 million on a fifth-year option, has produced 52.5 sacks in 63 games and has been selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his four seasons. Parsons is weighing a shorter extension than the Cowboys typically offer, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, so he could return to free agency at age 29 or 30. To satisfy that request, Dallas may need to trim one or two years from its standard long-term framework, a concession it previously made for quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb after initially resisting similar structures. Owner Jerry Jones and agent David Mulugheta have yet to finalize paperwork, leaving open the possibility that Parsons stages a “hold-in” at training camp next month—reporting to avoid fines but refusing to practice. Recent market resets by other elite defenders and top-paid non-quarterbacks, such as Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt, suggest each passing week could push Parsons’ price higher.
JJPAFootball
5 months
Cowboys Open to Micah Parsons Trade Talks Amid $202.5 Million Rift
Cowboys Open to Micah Parsons Trade Talks Amid $202.5 Million Rift
The Dallas Cowboys have begun fielding inquiries about a potential trade for four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Micah Parsons, marking a sharp departure from owner and general manager Jerry Jones’s longstanding refusal to consider moving the 26-year-old. ESPN reported that multiple clubs have already contacted Dallas and that the team hopes to resolve the stalemate—whether by trade or renewed contract talks—before its regular-season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 4. Parsons formally requested a trade on Aug. 1 after sitting out training camp in a bid for a long-term deal. Although team doctors have cleared him, he has yet to practice, citing persistent back tightness. He is scheduled to earn $21.324 million this season under the fifth-year option, but his representatives have filed a grievance contending he should receive $24.007 million based on linebacker status. Jones believes he reached a handshake agreement with Parsons in March on a five-year extension worth roughly $202.5 million ($40.5 million annually), but no formal offer followed once Parsons referred negotiations to his agent. With contract talks frozen and Week 1 approaching, Dallas’s willingness to entertain offers represents the most significant escalation yet in a dispute that could end with a record-setting extension—or Parsons wearing a different uniform.
EESPN
3 months
Cowboys Near $144M Extension With 25-Year-Old Micah Parsons, Set to Be NFL's Highest-Paid Defender
Cowboys Near $144M Extension With 25-Year-Old Micah Parsons, Set to Be NFL's Highest-Paid Defender
The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly nearing a four-year, $144 million contract extension with star pass rusher Micah Parsons, 25, a 3x All-Pro and 4x Pro Bowler. The deal would make Parsons the highest-paid defender in NFL history and is expected to reduce his $22.06 million 2025 cap hit. Despite creating $57 million in cap space through contract restructures, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has stated that the team does not plan to aggressively pursue free agents, instead prioritizing the draft to address roster needs. This approach has drawn criticism, especially given the team's disappointing 7-10 record last season. The Cowboys recently signed defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa to a four-year, $80 million deal with $52 million guaranteed. Parsons' extension could further impact the pass rusher market, following Maxx Crosby's $106.5 million deal with a $35.5 million annual salary, which set a record for non-quarterbacks.
PProFootballTalk
8 months
Parsons Attends Cowboys Minicamp Amid Extension Talks; Diggs Rehabs, Cowboys-Rams Joint Practice Set for Aug. 5
Parsons Attends Cowboys Minicamp Amid Extension Talks; Diggs Rehabs, Cowboys-Rams Joint Practice Set for Aug. 5
The Dallas Cowboys opened their three-day mandatory minicamp in Frisco with full attendance, including All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons and cornerback Trevon Diggs. Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said Diggs, who is continuing knee rehabilitation, is "doing well," while Parsons was slated for limited on-field work. Parsons, who is seeking a long-term contract extension, observed the first day of practice while spending about 30 minutes in conversation with owner and general manager Jerry Jones. He joined individual pass-rush drills on the second day but did not participate in team periods. Speaking with reporters, the 2021 Defensive Rookie of the Year said negotiations rest with Jones. "He gives the green light on everything," Parsons said, adding he is "pretty hopeful" a deal will be reached before training camp. The 25-year-old pledged to report to Oxnard next month regardless of contract status but was non-committal about practicing without an agreement. Diggs worked with the rehab group and aims to be ready for the regular-season opener, according to team officials. Schottenheimer confirmed the Cowboys will hold a joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams in Oxnard on Aug. 5 ahead of their preseason meeting at SoFi Stadium on Aug. 9. Elsewhere in the NFL, new Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said the New York Jets and New York Giants will conduct home-and-home joint practices later this summer, marking the third time in four years the in-state rivals will scrimmage before their preseason game.
PProFootballTalk
5 months