The Dallas Cowboys traded All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers on Thursday. Parsons, who was drafted 12th overall by Dallas in 2021, sought a market-setting contract for his elite production over the past four years, but negotiations with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones stalled, leading the linebacker to request a trade.
The Packers and Parsons have agreed on a record-breaking four-year, $188 million contract, including $136 million guaranteed.
After the shocking news was announced, The Athletic's Jon Machota weighed in on the significance of this deal, comparing it to some of the most impactful trades in NFL history.
Machota tweeted: "No team has been a bigger thorn in Jerry Jones’ side over the last 15 years than the Packers, ending Cowboys’ seasons in 2014, 2016, and 2023. And now Jones sends them the Cowboys' best player. This could either end up being the Herschel Walker trade for the Cowboys or the Charles Haley trade for the 49ers."
In 1989, the Cowboys sent Walker, their star running back, to the Minnesota Vikings. While the Vikings initially appeared to win the deal by gaining a premier player, Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson expertly turned the trade into a treasure trove of draft picks and assets.
By strategically cutting players acquired and leveraging conditional picks, Dallas amassed multiple first-round selections used to draft players like Emmitt Smith and Darren Woodson. This trade laid the foundation for the Cowboys' 1990s dynasty and three Super Bowl championships.
Similarly, the Charles Haley trade in 1992 saw the San Francisco 49ers trade their future Hall of Fame linebacker to the Cowboys. Haley's presence helped Dallas build one of the league's most dominant defenses.
Jon Machota believes the Parsons trade could have similar seismic consequences. We'll see how it unfolds in the years ahead.