Micah Parsons. Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Cowboys shockingly trade Micah Parsons to conference rival

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Steve DelVecchio | Last updated Aug 28, 2025 5:48 PM ET

The Dallas Cowboys have moved on from Micah Parsons following an offseason of drama.

Parsons was traded to the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, according to multiple reports. The Packers have also agreed to a four-year, $188M extension with the star pass-rusher that includes $136M guaranteed. The $47M average annual salary makes Parsons the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.

Dallas will receive two first-round picks as part of the trade package for their former No. 12 overall pick. The Cowboys also get three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark.

The #Cowboys are trading All-Pro Micah Parsons to the #Packers & they agreed to a 4-year, $188M deal done by @DavidMulugheta and @AndreOdom of @AthletesFirst including $136M gtd, per me, @TomPelissero & @SlaterNFL.

At $47M per year, Parsons is the highest-paid non-QB… pic.twitter.com/kBjqMTcHJ3
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 28, 2025

The average annual value for Parsons dwarfs the $41M salary T.J. Watt got from the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier this offseason and the $40M Myles Garrett agreed to with the Cleveland Browns.

Parsons issued a lengthy statement shortly after news of the trade surfaced. He thanked the Cowboys and described the situation as “a sad day, but not a bitter one.”

pic.twitter.com/pOyYE7RD7n
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) August 28, 2025

Parsons had been set to make just over $24M in the final year of his rookie contract this season. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has claimed publicly that he and Parsons agreed to a handshake agreement for a new contract earlier this offseason but that Parsons’ agent torpedoed the deal.

A report on Thursday claimed the Cowboys were willing to listen to offers for Parsons, and the deal with the Packers was announced shortly after that. The Packers had been viewed as the favorite to land Parsons in the event that Dallas decided to trade the four-time Pro Bowl defensive end.

Parsons has been one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL since the Cowboys drafted him in 2021. He has 52.5 sacks through his first 63 NFL games, including 12 in 13 games in 2024. He will now join a Packers team that has been ascending with quarterback Jordan Love and made the playoffs the last two seasons.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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