The Dallas Cowboys have traded 4x Pro Bowler Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, ending a contentious standoff with the star pass rusher.
In exchange, the Cowboys will receive DT Kenny Clark, a 2026 1st round pick, and a 2027 1st round pick. Parsons and Green Bay then announced the signing of a new 4 year, $188M contract which includes $120M fully guaranteed at signing and $136M in total guarantees.
The new deal will average $47M a year, making the 26 year old the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
“Growing up in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, I was one of the few kids in my neighborhood who cheered for the Dallas Cowboys,” Parsons said in a statement following the trade. “Nearly everyone around supported the Eagles, but I always believed in the star. To wear the blue and white at Penn State and then carry those same colours into the NFL as a Cowboy, it was more than dream, it was destiny.”
“From the moment I arrived in Dallas, you embraced me and my family as your own. You made a kid from the east coast feel right at home in Texas. Every time I pulled up to work, every time I stepped onto that field, I felt the weight and pride of representing you. You didn’t just give me a jersey, you gave me a place to belong.”
“I never wanted this chapter to end, but not everything was in my control. My heart has always been here and it still. Through it all, I never made any demands. I never asked for anything more than fairness. I only asked that the person I trust to negotiate my contract be part of the process.”
“This is a sad day, but not a bitter one. I’ll never forget the joy of draft night, the adrenaline of running out of the tunnel, or the brotherhood I shared with my teammates, coaches and the staff who prepared me for every single game. Those memories are mine forever.”
“North Texas will continue to be my home in the offseason. I’ll still be here, giving back to the community that gave me so much. And no matter where the next chapter takes, the bond we’ve built will never break.”
“Thank you, Cowboys Nation, for every cheer, every moment, and every ounce of love you showed me. Wearing the star has been the honour of my life.”
Owner Jerry Jones and Parsons agent David Mulugheta had been pointing fingers for months now as to who was to blame for the lack of a long term contract extension for Parsons. The relationship deteriorated to the point where Parsons publicly asked to be traded, though numerous NFL insiders didn’t believe that Jones would ever seriously consider letting his most productive defender leave.
But whether it was the accusations, Parsons justified demand to let his agent be part of the negotiation process, or the EDGE rusher’s recent nap on the sidelines which caused another media firestorm, in the end, Dallas watches the cornerstone of their defence head to the NFC North. While the 2x first rounders will certainly be put to good use, veteran DT Kenny Clark isn’t exactly a home run addition to the deal.
While the 29 year old has been named to 3x Pro Bowls over the course of his 9 year career, he’s never recorded more than 7.5 sacks in a season. He’s also coming off one of his worst statistical seasons in the NFL since his rookie campaign in 2016.
Just about every counting metric for a defensive lineman was below all but his rookie year totals. Hit total tackles, solo tackles, QB hits, sacks, and forced fumbles were all career lows outside of 2016. Clark revealed after the season he had apparently been playing through a toe injury for the entirety of the year, but which version of the veteran DT Cowboys fans can expect to see remains to be seen.
In his absence, Green Bay will look to pair either Karl Brooks, Colby Wooden, Warren Brinson, or Nazir Stackhouse alongside Devonte Wyatt on their defensive interior. Green Bay opens their season on September 7th against the Detroit Lions, while Dallas takes on the defending Super Bowl champions on Thursday September 4th.
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