Yes, it’s a pie in the sky idea. But if Parsons and Jerry Jones can’t mend their fences, why not at least try to bring the All-Pro to Green Bay?
Nearly every year, it seems, the Dallas Cowboys and owner Jerry Jones manage to anger one of their best players over contract negotiations. Last summer, the Cowboys went through difficult negotiations with wideout Ceedee Lamb, who signed a 4-year, $136 million deal after holding out through all of training camp. This summer, Micah Parsons is the player at the center of the drama.
According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the two sides are at an impasse. Russini reports that Jones talked to Parsons directly about an extension this spring, but that the two men had very different views of the intent of those conversations. Jones reportedly viewed them as formal contract negotiations, an odd approach since Parsons employs an agent, while Parsons viewed them more informally.
Parsons’ agent is David Mulugheta, and the Cowboys have reportedly rebuffed his attempts to negotiate with them this summer on behalf of his client. It’s a bizarre handling of the situation by Jones and the Cowboys, and Russini reports that the situation is escalating to the point where Parsons is considering requesting a trade.
At best, this is a misunderstanding between the two sides. But the worst-case scenario is that Jones has grossly mishandled negotiations with one of his team’s most important and impactful players and angered both the player and his agent to the point of no return.
If the situation deteriorates even further, the Green Bay Packers should be ready to pounce with a trade offer and contract proposal.
Green Bay would benefit greatly from a pass-rusher of Parsons’ caliber, particularly given their inconsistency in getting after the quarterback in 2024. They do not have a proven running mate for Rashan Gary, and Parsons’ presence would give Jeff Hafley a potent and versatile player whom he can utilize in myriad ways.
Furthermore, the Packers are no strangers to negotiating with Mulugheta, as he represents Packers stars Jordan Love and Xavier McKinney. Love also knows Parsons, at least somewhat, as he appeared on Parsons’ podcast and even asked him about the possibility of playing for the Packers at some point. (Parsons responded by saying he’s a “for-lifer” in Dallas, though he also called Jerry Jones “my dawg,” so anything can change.)
The Packers also have enough cap space this season to take on Parsons’ current contract and sign him to an extension, though the cap sheet gets more complicated in 2026 and beyond. That makes the finances of Parsons’ situation worth examining.
The two-time All-Pro pass rusher is heading into the last year of his rookie contract. In 2025, Parsons is scheduled to earn roughly $24 million on his fifth-year option, but of course he wants and deserves a massive extension. After all, Parsons has made the Pro Bowl and recorded at least 12 sacks in each of his four NFL seasons, and he is just 26 years old.
While waiting for a new deal this offseason, Parsons has seen Myles Garrett and then T.J. Watt set new top-of-market contract values. Garrett, who notably requested a trade from the Cleveland Browns early this year, agreed to a 4-year, $160 million extension in Cleveland in March. Then, just a few weeks ago, Watt signed a 3-year, $123 million deal with the Steelers, setting a new record high at $41 million per year and keeping him in Pittsburgh through 2028.
Practically speaking, Parsons and Mulugheta should set a new high in average value for a defensive player, thanks to his age and production. Garrett is his best comparison; the 8-year veteran is a four-time All-Pro (all in the last five years) and has a Defensive Player of the Year award in 2023, along with seven straight seasons with double-digit sacks. Parsons’ comparable production and his age — he just turned 26, while Garrett will turn 30 in December — should put him on track to eclipse Garrett’s total. Watt is a year older, nearly 31, and he showed signs of slowing down last year with just two sacks in the last five games.
As for compensation, the Cowboys would surely expect a first-round pick and more in exchange for Parsons. The Packers have always been loath to give up high draft picks for players who are on a different NFL team’s roster — the last time they traded a first-round pick for an established player was to acquire Brett Favre in 1992 — but the opportunity to land an elite pass-rusher in his prime should be one of the few times that to seriously consider it.
It still feels unlikely that Parsons will end up forcing his way out of Dallas. The Cowboys have eventually come to agreements with all of the disgruntled players mentioned earlier, and unlike some of those players, Parsons is not even holding out. Still, should things truly break down entirely between those two sides, Brian Gutekunst should be on the phone with Jerry Jones immediately.