Micah Parsons Traded to Packers After Cowboys Contract Standoff/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Dallas Cowboys traded All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers after a heated contract dispute. The Packers gave up two first-round picks, Kenny Clark, and signed Parsons to a record $188M deal. Parsons now becomes the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
Micah Parsons Trade Quick Looks
- Cowboys trade Micah Parsons to Packers after contract impasse
- Packers gave up 2026 & 2027 first-round picks + DT Kenny Clark
- Parsons signs $188M, 4-year contract ($136M guaranteed)
- Highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history
- Jerry Jones claims Cowboys offered more guarantees — disputed
- Dallas aimed to strengthen run defense, struggled last season
- Packers add elite pass rusher after 2024 playoff exit
- Parsons: 52.5 sacks in 4 seasons, Pro Bowl every year
- Green Bay lacked a 12+ sack defender since 2020
- Cowboys and Packers will clash Week 4 in Dallas
Deep Look: Micah Parsons Heads to Packers in Blockbuster Trade
August 28, 2025 — Dallas, TX / Green Bay, WI — In a stunning move, the Dallas Cowboys traded superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, ending a protracted contract standoff with one of the NFL’s most dominant defensive players.
The Packers secured Parsons — a two-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler — in exchange for first-round picks in 2026 and 2027 along with veteran defensive tackle Kenny Clark. Parsons agreed to a record-setting $188 million, four-year contract extension that includes $136 million guaranteed, according to a source familiar with the deal.
That contract makes Parsons the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, surpassing previous benchmarks set by other elite defenders.
Parsons’ Farewell and Jones’ Defense
In a heartfelt statement on X, Parsons said he never wanted to leave Dallas:
“My heart has always been here, and still is. I never asked for more than fairness. I only wanted the person I trust to negotiate my contract to be included in the process.”
Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones disputed details of the negotiations, claiming he offered Parsons a richer guarantee package. However, sources close to Parsons rejected that characterization.
Jones defended the trade as a strategic move, citing the team’s poor run defense:
“We gained a Pro Bowl player in an area we had big concerns. Not any negative on Micah, but we’re trying to stop the run and stay in the hunt.”
Cowboys’ Struggles and Packers’ Opportunity
With Parsons anchoring their defense, Dallas still ranked near the bottom of the league in stopping the run — 29th last season — and never advanced past the divisional round in the playoffs during his tenure.
The Cowboys finished 7-10 last season and struggled defensively even with Parsons, who missed four games due to injury. While quarterback Dak Prescott is returning healthy, the defense now faces a devastating loss.
Meanwhile, Green Bay — who went 11-7 in 2024 before losing to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC wild-card round — sees Parsons as a transformative piece.
The Packers tied for 8th in sacks last year with 45, but half of those came in just four games. In seven contests, they managed one sack or fewer. Adding Parsons provides an immediate boost to a pass rush that ranked 16th in pressure rate.
Historic Swing for Green Bay
Packers GM Brian Gutekunst said the move represents the kind of bold risk necessary to compete for championships:
“Sometimes we’ve taken risks that worked, sometimes they didn’t. But every opportunity to improve our team, we evaluate both the moment and the future. This was a big swing.”
The trade evokes memories of Green Bay’s landmark signing of Reggie White in the 1990s, which helped propel the franchise to a Super Bowl victory under Brett Favre. The Packers now hope Parsons can have a similar impact, bolstering their defense for a deep postseason run.
Key Stats and Outlook
- Micah Parsons (26 years old): 52.5 career sacks, at least 12 sacks each season, four-time Pro Bowler.
- Cowboys with Parsons: 1-3 in playoff games, ranked no higher than 16th in run defense.
- Packers’ last 12+ sack player: Za’Darius Smith (12.5 sacks in 2020).
The Cowboys and Packers will meet in Week 4 at AT&T Stadium, setting up an early-season showdown between Parsons and his former team.
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