Why the key to Micah Parsons trade was a $64 million Packers defensive tackle

Dan Guttenplan

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Why the key to Micah Parsons trade was a $64 million Packers defensive tackle image

The Dallas Cowboys traded Micah Parsons on Thursday, and it's unlikely that move will help America's Team win more games in 2025.

Unless you're looking at it through the lens of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and his son, Stephen, who is also a Cowboys executive. Stephen had this to say about the trade, according to NFL insider Josina Anderson.

“The other thing that came into play big between coach (Brian) Schottenheimer and coach (Matt) Eberflus and talking about the defense and obviously getting a player like Kenny Clark; is we also feel in addition to the depth, is you can scheme pressure as well," Stephen Jones said. "I think coach Eberflus has been really good at that in terms of using scheme to get pressure on the quarterback. But what’s tough to scheme is to stop the run.”

The Cowboys traded Parsons to the Packers in exchange for defensive tackle Kenny Clark and a pair of first-round picks. Most NFL fans assumed the Cowboys were effectively punting on the season by trading away one of the most highly regarded pass-rushers in the NFL. But both Jerry and Stephen Jones feel that the addition of Clark could make them better this year.

Jerry Jones also relayed that the future first-round picks could have a more immediate benefit to the Cowboys' roster.

“The other thing that I want to say, is not only gives us four first-round picks over the next two years…nothing says we can’t use some of those picks right now, to go get somebody right now; don’t rule that out," Jerry Jones said.

Clark has three Pro Bowl appearances to his name (2019, 2021, 2023). A former first-round pick, Clark's exploits netted him a three-year, $64 million contract extension in 2024. At his best, he's a vaunted pass-rusher and run-stopper.

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Dan Guttenplan

Dan Guttenplan is a freelance writer with The Sporting News.