It was the shocking trade heard around the NFL, if not the entire sports world.
The Dallas Cowboys traded star pass rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers for two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark on Aug. 28.
The Dallas Cowboys will receive one of the first-round picks in 2026 and one in 2027, which puts them at four first-round picks for the next two years. Jerry Jones, Cowboys owner and general manager, commented on the potential use of those draft picks. “We not only have four first-round picks over the next two years,” Jones said in a press conference following the trade. “Nothing says we can’t use some of those picks right now, to go get somebody right now. Don’t rule that out.”
Stephen Jones, Cowboys co-owner and chief operating officer, said something similar. “Nothing says we can’t use one of those to improve the team this year, which we wouldn’t rule out — this year.”
Parsons’ reaction to the trade was almost immediate. Moments after the trade was announced he posted an announcement video on his Instagram account with the caption, “Thank you Dallas. GO PACK GO.” In a press conference in Green Bay, Wisconsin on Aug. 29, he said, “I’m going to give my all.” and added, “I’m going to be ready.” Parsons said he was excited to join the Packers.
With the trade came a huge contract extension worth $188 million over four years with $120 million guaranteed at signing and $47 million per year. This contract puts him as the highest paid non-quarterback in league history.
Parsons’ agent, David Mulugheta, claimed on ESPN’s “First Take” that Parsons never wanted to leave Dallas. “I think the most important thing is that Micah wanted to be a Cowboy. He grew up cheering for the Cowboys, wore the blue and white at Penn State, and wore it in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys. He wanted to be a Cowboy, and we did everything we could for him to remain a Cowboy.”
Jerry Jones reportedly offered Parsons a five-year contract worth $205 million putting his salary at approximately $41 million per year. But this contract could not be agreed on due to the five-year length of the contract, and it could rule out another big contract in the future after the current contract expired.
With the Parsons trade came former Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Kenny Clark. Clark, 29, was drafted by the Packers in 2016 and played nine seasons for the team. Jones commented on the player. “Our player that we got is outstanding,” he said, and added, “We knew that, and he’ll immediately start making plays for us here when we get up there against those Philadelphia Eagles.” The reason Clark was traded for was to stuff the interior and stop the run, which was a priority for Jones.
“The most important thing is we really wanted to stop the run,” Jones said.
The Cowboys were hosted by the Philadelphia Eagles on Sep. 4, where they lost 20 to 24 after a delayed game due to thunderstorms. Their next game will be against the New York Giants on Sep. 14.
