Packers steal Micah Parsons as Jerry Jones defends blockbuster trade

The Cowboys face the challenge of reaching the playoffs without Parsons, a four-time Pro Bowler who has racked up 52.5 sacks.

“In our judgment, this gives us a better chance to be a better team than we have been the last several years,” Jones said as he addressed the media.

A Micah Parsons – sized hole for Jerry Jones and the Cowboys

Their pass rush — anchored by Dante Fowler Jr., Marshawn Kneeland, Sam Williams, Donovan Ezeiruaku and James Houston — must rise to Parsons’ standard. Parsons stands as one of only two players to post at least 12 sacks in each of his first four seasons since sacks became an official stat in 1982. Those five defenders have combined for 73 career sacks, though Kneeland, heading into his second year, and rookie Ezeiruaku are still searching for their first.

The Cowboys will lean on their offense, now under Brian Schottenheimer, with Dak Prescott at the helm as he returns from the injury that sidelined him for the last nine games of 2024.

Before their 7-10 campaign last year, the Cowboys had put together three straight 12-5 seasons but still failed to advance beyond the divisional round. In their last three postseason losses to the Packers in 2023 and the San Francisco 49ers in 2021 and 2022, they gave up 425 rushing yards on 103 attempts with six touchdowns.

Parsons went without a single sack in each of those matchups.

Last season, the Cowboys surrendered over 100 rushing yards in 12 of 17 games and topped 140 yards allowed on eight occasions. By bringing in Clark, they gain both size at 6-foot-3, 314 pounds and proven experience as a three-time Pro Bowler.

Parsons will step back onto the field at AT&T Stadium with the Packers on Sept. 28, and Jerry Jones will be watching from the stands.