Ahead of the 2025 NFL season, the Dallas Cowboys made a bold decision.
The Dallas front office became involved in an extremely public dispute with star EDGE rusher Micah Parsons. Team owner Jerry Jones claimed that he and Parsons had agreed to terms during a dinner without Parsons’ agent present. Unsurprisingly, Parsons’ agent publicly objected, noting that a formal deal still needed to be negotiated.
The standoff dragged on for months, with Parsons holding out, requesting a trade, and even writing an emotional letter to Cowboys fans in which he said he no longer wanted to play for the team. Ultimately, a week before Dallas’ season opener, Parsons was traded to the Green Bay Packers, bringing the prolonged contract saga to an end.
Many felt that Dallas could have gotten more for him had they handled the situation better. While that may be true, the return for Parsons wasn't expected to be record-setting; instead, that aspect of the deal came with the shiny, new contract that Green Bay gave him, making him the highest-paid defensive player of all time for annual value.
Here is a look back at what the Cowboys received in return for Parsons when they traded him to the Packers.
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Micah Parsons trade details
Packers get:
- EDGE Micah Parsons
Cowboys get:
- DT Kenny Clark
- 2026 1st round pick
- 2027 1st round pick
This is considered a blockbuster trade because of the names involved, but the return does seem rather sparse. Yes, two first-round picks are changing hands, but that's in addition to a one-for-one player swap.
The return likely would have been higher if the Cowboys had moved him during the 2025 NFL Draft, and they could have gotten a first-round pick in that class, plus more for the future. Back then, though, Jones thought the deal was agreed to in principle, so it likely wasn't even on his mind.
Green Bay hopes to capitalize on Parsons' prime and use him as the foundation of its defense. Dallas acquired two first-round picks to aid in the future, and the 29-year-old Kenny Clark, who should help against the run game in the short term. Jones also pointed out that overall, the Cowboys cleared cap space, avoided Parsons' monster deal and now have two extra first-round picks that they can use in the future.
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Players involved in the Micah Parsons trade
The trade only involved two players. Green Bay came away with the centerpiece in Parsons, while Dallas added a veteran defensive tackle in Clark along with its draft capital.
Micah Parsons, Packers
Parsons, a product of Penn State’s storied linebacker tradition, was selected 12th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. He began his career with Dallas and was set to play the 2025 season under the team’s fifth-year option. Now, he will play under that same option in Green Bay, with his mega deal set to begin in 2026.
Over four NFL seasons, Parsons has missed just five games while recording 52.5 sacks, never tallying fewer than 12 in a single season. During his time in Dallas, he also compiled 256 total tackles, nine forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries.
Parsons is 26 years old and is now tied to the Packers through the 2029 season.
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Kenny Clark, Cowboys
The 29-year-old Clark played his college ball at UCLA. He was the 27th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft by Green Bay and had spent the first eight years of his career with the Packers before the trade.
Before Clark was sent to the Cowboys, he had played in 140 games. He had 35 sacks in his Packers career, with 416 tackles, seven forced fumbles and eight fumble recoveries.
Clark signed a three-year, $64 million deal ahead of the 2024 season. It kicks in in 2025, and he is under contract through the 2027 season, when he will be 32. If Dallas doesn't decide they want him, they have a contract out and could cut him for free after the 2025 season.