Trade chatter surrounding Micah Parsons has proven to be substantive. Not long after a Thursday report indicated the star edge rusher could be on the move, a blockbuster trade has indeed been worked out. 
The Cowboys have an agreement in place to send Parsons to the Packers, as first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Jane Slater. The package heading back to Green Bay includes two first-round picks. Rapoport adds defensive tackle Kenny Clark is also heading to Dallas as the final part of the trade agreement. The move is now official.
As part of this massive deal, Parsons has worked out a Packers extension. A four-year, $188MM accord has been agreed to, per the NFL Network report (which has since been confirmed by others). The deal contains $136MM in total guarantees. ESPN’s Adam Schefter adds Parsons will receive $120MM fully locked in at signing, including $62MM paid out in 2025. Those figures – along with a $47MM average annual value – easily mark a new high point in compensation for non-quarterbacks.
In recent days, the possibility of a trade has gained steam. Yesterday, it was reported the Packers were among the teams showing interest; as such, it is reasonable Green Bay is where Parsons is now headed. Still, today’s move is a massive development for all involved and marks a departure from standard operating procedure in the Packers’ case. The team has a reputation as a draft-and-develop franchise, and that includes recent first-round investments along the edge in Rashan Gary (2019) and Lukas Van Ness (2024).
Both of those players will remain in place even with Parsons arriving. Green Bay’s defensive front has nevertheless been dealt a blow with Clark heading the other way. The three-time Pro Bowler has spent his entire nine-year career with the Packers, and he will provide the Cowboys with a needed upgrade at the DT spot. Clark, 29, has three years remaining on his contract. The former first-rounder posted a career-high 7.5 sacks in 2023, but that figure fell to one last season. Even without a bounce-back in that department, stable play against the run would be welcomed by the Cowboys.
Dallas has a reputation for dragging high-profile negotiations deep into the offseason. Many observers viewed the Parsons situation as the latest example of that, but relations between the 26-year-old and owner Jerry Jones have taken a turn for the worst this summer. Informal talks between the two produced a handshake agreement during the spring, one Jones maintained a desire to stick to in the process of finalizing an extension. When Parsons went public with his trade request at the start of the month, though, he stated he did not want to be held to the terms mentioned in that conversation. No formal offer is known to have been made by Dallas, and negotiations came to a halt in the wake of Jones’ comments on agent David Mulugheta.
Per Rapoport, this trade was agreed to earlier this week. Negotiations then turned to the matter of an extension, with Mulugheta negotiating this monster accord. The Packers’ financial outlook will be altered considerably with this deal in place, especially since quarterback Jordan Love is attached to one of the league’s most expensive accords. The team’s window to contend for a Super Bowl is obviously viewed as being open given this trade.
Dallas, meanwhile, still has a core headlined by Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. They both signed major extensions of their own last offseason, and Clark joins Osa Odighizuwa (re-upped this spring on a $20MM-per-year deal) as a key figure on defense for 2025 and beyond. The Cowboys are thus not in a position to turn away from contention in the near future, but with one week remaining in the offseason they have moved on from arguably their best player.
The Cowboys lost DeMarcus Lawrence during free agency, so today’s blockbuster means both of their starting edge rush spots will have new occupants. Sam Williams, Dante Fowler, Marshawn Kneeland, James Houston and second-round rookie Donovan Ezeiruaku are in position to handle pass rush duties moving forward. How that group fares will be key in determining the success of the post-Parsons Dallas defense. 
The Packers went 9-8 during Love’s first season as their starting quarterback, and they improved to 11-6 last season. A step toward the NFL’s elite was targeted in their roster moves this offseason, and that process has extended deep into August. Parsons was already on the books for 2025 due to his fifth-year option (the value of which is yet to be finalized). The All-Pro is now under contract through 2029.
“I never wanted this chapter to end, but not everything was in my control,” a statement from Parsons reads in part. “My heart has always been [in Dallas], and it still is. 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.
“Thank you, Cowboys Nation, for every cheer, every moment, and every ounce of love you showed me. Wearing the star has been the honor of my life.”
As Schefter notes, 29 players drafted since 1970 have been named to the Pro Bowl in each of their first four seasons. Parsons will be the first name on that list to play for a different team in their fifth NFL campaign. Dallas and Green Bay will meet in a Sunday Night Football matchup in Week 4. It goes without saying what the top storyline for that contest will be.
You know, I would laugh at Jerry, but considering what GB is giving him? Might have been worth moving him.
People say this every time a top guy gets paid like this. 4 or 5 years from now when Abdul Carter gets paid whatever he will get paid people will say the same thing and this deal will look nice.
Two 20-something round picks. Certainly not Herschel Walker territory, but something’s better than nothing.
I meant two first round picks in the 20’s*
Don’t look at it that way. They now have 4 1st rounds picks the next 2 years. That gives them some ammo to move down. They lost a once-a-decade type of player, but they do have options. They should’ve traded Lamb. But I’m not the GM.
Its tough, Clark is good but is getting older and the two 1st round picks will be much later in the round. GB will pay Parsons a ton though and hopefully a grass field will keep him healthier than turf.
Clark is just a guy. Entirely replaceable with a difficult cap number.
I don’t know, smart move by the Packers. With the expected salary cap spikes going on over the next few years, this will be a bargain before he’s done. And like others have mentioned, these are late picks.
Giving him? This is a steal Clark is 30 in October and did not play well last year and the 1st should be to the end of the draft for a top impact defender yeah they stole him the only bad part is what they had to pay him some were down the line it’s going to hurt.
I’ll laugh at Jerry but feel for Cowboys fans
Good job Jerry.
Luka and Micah. Wow.
Well, not exactly the same but I get what you’re saying.
Yeah they all want out of Dallas lol
He makes more than My Homie (Mahomes)
Severl lesser QBs do also. Parsons is an All Pro talent that instantly upgrades the Packer defense from middle of the road to formidable even with their raggedy secondary.
That secondary will surprise this year.
Yessssss!!!!
I can’t believe the money involved. Absolutely insane but good for him.
Money and picks. Green Bay is in it to win it!
47 Million Per? WOW!
Insane contract and they already overpaid Love for a handful of good games. GB about to be in cap hell.
Not for about 2 years
Reggie was a free agent. This cashes you out of multiple players and will destroy the cap. Terrible move. Unfortunately the Bears won’t save them like they did with Mack.
The Packers never have a problem with the cap. They know what they are doing.
Never had a problem . Yes but now they do after over paying Love . Lions still the best in the north
As of today they are… but that’s why they play the games
The best part….all the Lions, Vikings and Bears fans that hate this move trying to allege it’s a bad one. 😂😂😂😂 Try to block him.
This isn’t a Luka trade because this was a little expected but this is the biggest trade in the NFL I can remember
Biggest since Khalil Mack about ten years ago for sure.
Reggie White 2.0
For the Pack’s sake, I hope so!
Probably more like clay Matthews 2.0
Yep, letting him leave like they did Demarcus Ware …
Ware was 32 years old. Parsons is 26 and entering his peak years.
Jerry Jones is an egomaniac and an idiot.
At least Matthews helped them win a SB. This reminds me of when DeMarcus Ware left.
And that’s why the broncos won’t a Super Bowl and not the cowboys
Reggie was a free agent
White was on the back of his career when he signed. This is getting the closest thing we’ve seen to the OG LT in his prime.
What did Dallas get
Hell of a deal, the story says Packers get him and 2 number 1 draft picks. Lol
Kenny Clark and 2 #1 picks
They gave up big Kenny????
Interesting that Clark was on the sideline Saturday talking to TV game crew about how he was really excited about the defense this year. So the double teams Clark had been facing now go to Parsons. Not sure how much better the team will be but the fans just received the best win of the year. Young Hawkeye Van Ness better step up big time now.
HOW ‘BOUT EM COWBOYS!
4 year/$188M extension with $136M guaranteed
… and to a Conference opponent
It’ll be a disaster……he’ll be hurt all the time
He’s missed four games his whole career.
Funny thing about football players. They get get hurt more the older they get.
He just turned 26.
Wrong side of 25
He’s four months older than Tyler Shough.
Tyler Shough’s injury history primarily involves broken bones: a fractured left collarbone in 2021 (which he did not have surgery for), a re-fractured collarbone in 2022 requiring surgery, and a fractured left fibula in 2023. These were orthopedic injuries that required extensive recovery and significantly limited his playing time during his collegiate career at Oregon and Texas Tech.
I was saying Parsons isn’t old, not referencing Shough’s injury history.
I know. Tyler Shough probably isn’t the standard you want to use talking about injuries though. Don’t use Cameron Rising either.
Ok. He’s the most normal age for a guy getting a second contract.
Would’ve gone Devaughn Vele
Parsons is only a year and a half older than Jared Verse.
Not for a first rounder who is a perennial Pro Bowler. Any normal team would’ve done the fifth year option and extended him after that. And/or put the franchise tag on him.
Players of his caliber never leave the drafting team after just four years
This trade is crazy! People are saying JJ may have won this trade with the two 1st round picks, but there gonna be late 1st round picks (damn near 2nd round picks). Wow, this is crazy
Talented players get selected at the end of the first round constantly. If the Cowboys scout well and develop their prospects, it may work in their favor long term. Only time will tell.
These will not be late 1sts “damn near 2nds)
First off, this doesn’t even make the Packers the best team in their division. The NFC North is STACKED. So after they all beat each other up, the NFC North has to play the AFC North this season. No easy games for any of those teams.
The Packers probably get 9-10 wins. Their pick will probably land in the late teens, possibly early 20s.
Dallas did well here. If Parsons was a free agent, they aren’t paying that type of contract to a non franchise QB. Most teams wouldn’t. It’s clearly a desperate move by GB. Dallas not only dodged the bullet of that contract but netted two 1sts and a really good player in Clark.
Lol what are you even talking about
Gary and Parsons coming off the edge is scary times
As a cowboy fan I’m ok with this that is way too much to pay him with a league that as a salary cap.
The cap has already been going up like crazy and by the end of his contract there will be new TV deals and likely an 18th game.
So you just don’t want great players, lol.
Someone’s gotta take away Jerry’s keys. Yeesh.
I don’t think there will be a David Mulugheta client in a Cowboys uniform in the future.
I hope both of those 1st rounders sign with D.M after getting drafted by Jerrah and Pickens does the same soon😂😈
Oh Jerrah, thank you for botching this so badly 🤣😂🤣Go Birds!!!
Giants fan here also thanking Jerrah.
He sure knows how to unite the rest of the us in the division 😂
I hope he lives to 150 years old.
Remember when Jordan Love said it’d be pretty cool to have Parsons on his team a few years ago?
Was hoping to not have to face him twice a year. This not exactly going to be a fun opponent for McCarthy.
McCarthy?
JJ. The Vikings QB
Ah ok. Dallas plays GB week 4
Vikings qb JJ McCarthy
McCarthy??
Well, since Mike McCarthy is no longer the Cowboys head coach, he will have as much fun as anyone else watching the Cowboys suck.
People are trying to say Jerry was smart to not pay him that much…but any decent owner would have locked him up last season at a 30mil aav. It never had to be this way lol
In a few years that contract wont look that crazy. Great trade for the packers
Hahaha, what?!? In a “few years” the contract will be damn near done. It’s only a 4 year deal. GB is in cap hell. They already had to overpay Love because he sat for so long, his rookie deal was up before he even proved if he’s a franchise QB or not.
GB is in cap hell for the next “few years” while also being down two 1st rounders AND playing in a brutally tough division.
Honestly why do some of you even comment
Ask him what he said when Chicago traded for Khalil Mack. I’m sure he was elated.
Cap hell isn’t a thing anymore. Fans repeat this nonsense like it’s the 90s.
That revamped Bears O-Line is going to get a workout. The NFC North D-Lines are going to be a handful with some serious pass rushers. Green Bay has a whole lot of money, around 90 million a season tied up with Love and Parsons.
Chicago and Detroit will be fine, both with strong o-lines. Minnesota might be affected by this the most, not a great line and essentially a rookie QB.
Dude what lol
Chicago OL is going to get abused because the QB can’t sit still and play the position.
I dont think Braxton Jones can block him. We will see
When did Chicago get a strong offensive line, lol. Because of 32 soon to be 33 year old Thuney? Their tackles are still a disaster, and their center position is weak. Other than that, they’re strong, lol.
Jerry is so dumb. Couldn’t even move him to the afc lol
Massive overpay by GB. In addition to Clark and TWO 1sts, the bigger issue is that ridiculous contract. The Pack are now in cap hell. They already committed a ton to Love.
I’m just glad Parsons wasn’t traded to the NFC West, but this will not age well for GB. They essentially have TWO franchise QB contracts on their books now and lost significant draft capital.
The Packers have always been one of the best in the NFL at managing the salary cap. If you look at their cap situation before making the trade it was quite good. I would trust that they know their cap situation and their plans for next year’s salary allocation infinitely better than you do.
Lol ridiculous take.
I’m going to say this is a win for Dallas. Green Bay is giving up the house for one non-QB player. Dallas gets two 1st rounders, frees up a ton of cap space, and a decent DT. If Green Bay makes a deep playoff run, it might be worth it.
Clark is good but what does he have 3 seasons left and the picks will be closer to the second round? GB needs to take advantage. No more excuses unless their secondary blows it.
Clark is not good. He’s barely just a guy.
It makes Dallas’s already bad defense worse. Maybe it’s better for the Cowboys long term, but they’re worse right now. They already gave up the 2nd most points in the league last year. Dak’s going to need to throw for 5,000 yards to keep them competitive.
Without Parsons, Diggs will get ate alive, when he does start again.
That’s a lot of draft capital and money to pay Parsons to sit on IR all year.
Did Jerry not have enough cash to back $120 million in guarantee money?
Last year when on the field with Parsons cowboy d was top rated. When he was out injured for 4 games they were last.
Did Micah’s back clear the med check for GB?
Good call, GB better hope he stays healthy and motivated. With Love, he should be willing.
“With Love” LOL
I am a long time cowboys fan, and micah parsons follower. I am happy for him. He deserves better than the cowboys, and that is what he got in this trade. I am just happy he didn’t go to the Ravens or eagles. Best of wishes to you, “The Lion”
Regardless of the money the Packers are paying Parsons or what they gave up for him, there’s no way to look at this as anything but a fail for Jerry and the Cowboys. And look it is a LOT of money and they probably as good a haul as you can manage for a star player in today’s game. But you had a top 3 pass rusher in the league on your team with a handshake agreement on an extension and all Jerry had to do was send the contract over to Parsons’ agent to look over and give the go ahead and for some reason that was the hill Jerry chose to plant his flag on. You can bet Jerry is fuming behind the scenes because a player finally called his bluff and dug his feet in deeper than Jerry did.
Just insane. I have no words.
The Ravens / Chiefs game was suppose to be the marquee matchup for week 4 but the Sunday prime time game between Dallas and Green Bay is going to draw added interest now.
if you get a chance to watch the Netflix documentary on the cowboys… do so, it affirms a few things about JJ.. namely his ego/love of the spotlight (regardless the situation)
Teams will just double team him in the NFC north . Love is overrated. Have fun GB in cap space hell
“Teams will just double team him in the NFC north” Duh, why didn’t the NFC East think of the?! OH…. they tried and failed to double him all the time..
GB has no QB to take them too the SB . Get off the drugs
Cap space hell in the near longer term, yes. GB will start feeling the walls start to close in for the 2027 season. Then they will need to make some choices regarding their roster. Looking at Parsons and Love specifically. While the average annual value is high, the contracts are structured with large bonuses and a lower salary cap hits initially, though the cap hits will increase in the later years of the deals. It eventually catches up with an organization. Detroit is next. They have lots of money invested in some good players that they extended. They now are faced with rookie contracts soon to expire on some good players. It’s going to be a challenge.
At least he got paid, right? He went from one organization that embraces mediocre performance to another organization that embraces mediocre performance. I get that he has to understand that he will never win a SB, but that money is life changing.
Uh ok
What year will the packers or cowboys win a superbowl? And be honest with yourself….
I dont know and neither do you.
But one things for sure the Packers are generally a lot better than mediocre, Cowboys are ran terrible but also usually above average. If you want mediocre look at a team like the Jaguars or Cardinals. But i get it, you wanna be smug and snarky on the internet so you pretend that two good teams are bad
Packers went 11-6 last year and just added perhaps the best defensive player in the game. Barring catastrophic injuries, they have a legitimate shot this year. And the year after that……now Dallas, on the other hand…..
A Bills fan troll asking when the Cowboys or Packers will win a Super Bowl is cute.
You still also thinking I’m a Bills fan is unhinged. But, I guess, you are a jets fan, so nobody should see you as mentally grounded.
Funny, you used to be a Bills fan. Now you claim not to be, but consistently troll just about every team except for Buffalo.
Cowboys are idiots lmao
HAHAHAHAHA!!!
Jerry Jones is the worst GM in NFL history. He just got played by Parsons and his agent.
I would expect Parsons to be extremely motivated to play the Cowboys.
No playoffs for the Cowboys.
Yeah they got 2 1sts, but Jerry will eff that up too. Packers just pushed all their chips into the pot.
I love watching Jerry eff up everything.
The packers effed up. Pushing all your chips in the pot with an absolute mid QB ?
This deal has a funny odor coming from it. Between the NFL and MSM it seems planned and coordinated.
If the Cowboys couldn’t make it to the SB with a BETTER QB and BETTER receivers what makes you think GB can ? Have fun in cap hell GB
Ridiculous comment that completely ignores the defensive side of the ball. Also, no matter how many times you say the Packers will be in “cap hell”, it’s not true. They will find a way like they always do. Cap is also expected to rise $30+ million over the next two years.
Ya you are right but he won’t win a SB with a average QB at best
Love is better than average. He’s not elite (and maybe he never will be, I don’t know), but he’s better than average.
Didn’t he come to the Star and wreck the QB he just left and took a superior 49er team to the last five minutes of the divisional round two years ago?
Jerry Jones screws the pooch one more time.
Micah didnt even want to leave the team. Jerry could have had this deal done last year.
Jerry Jones needs to wake up and get real. It’s time for him to leave the management of the team with people who know what they’re doing and without the personal emotion
You must be new around here… Lol
Woah!!!!
I think this is fair trade for both sides. Sorry for the room temperature take. But it should not have come to this. Jerry negotiating with the player and cutting the agent out of the process is improper and he knows it (but does not care). This was easily avoided but Jerry is an arrogant fool. I feel sorry for Cowboys fans. I really do.
The best part of this article – takes the drama out before the season starts and maybe moves the spotlight away from JJ and focuses it on actual playing football games.
Stupid money. Don’t tell me this isn’t the greatest county on earth
Brown County? Where Green Bay is? Yeah it’s definitely not. Sucks honestly.
Imagine if he has a season ending injury. Imagine paying one non-QB player $40M+ when he’s not even playing.
I don’t think people understand what this is going to do with an already struggling Dallas defense. Parsons was constantly being double teamed, giving the rest of the guys on the D-line an advantage. An advantage that wasn’t capitalized on.
With Parsons gone, everything has a negative ripple effect. Less QB sacks, less QB pressures equals more pressure on an already shaky secondary. It may be a looooong season for the Dallas D.
Welcome to salary cap hell Green Bay..half of his sacks came against rookie QBs and against Washington and Carolina.
Is “cap hell” the phrase of the day or something? Packers have been one of the best teams in the league at managing the cap, but now everyone is saying “cap hell” like they’re suddenly going to forget what they’re doing, or like the cap isn’t going to keep rising.
Insanity.
Parsons should have just stayed in Dallas. He’ll lose in the long run, not being a Cowboy… State tax alone, he loses 2.5m per year. Jersey sale pct going to drop. And just overall Brand attention will be gone by the end of this season.
Well what we give up will become a mute point if we win a SB because that’s why you do it. I can’t put it on the same importance of a Reggie White kinda importance but definitely up there with a Woodson deal probably. I get that they were free agent signing but you know what I mean.