NFL Exec Calls Jerry Jones, Cowboys 'Beyond Idiotic' for Micah Parsons, Packers Trade

The Dallas Cowboys' stunning decision to trade superstar pass-rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers for a pair of first-round picks and veteran defensive tackle Kenny Clark has engendered the sort of stunned responses from around the NFL you might have expected.

"Why on earth would you do this now and not in March?" an executive reportedly told NFL reporter Jordan Schultz. "Beyond idiotic."

It was a perspective that was shared widely in the aftermath of the deal, with the onus placed largely on team owner Jerry Jones:

It seemingly didn't take the Packers long to sign Parsons to a four-year, $188 million contract ($136 million guaranteed) that makes him the highest-paid non-QB in the sport. Green Bay was not only willing to sign Parsons to that contract, they were willing to give up major assets for the right to do so. That's how much more they valued Parsons than Jones and the Cowboys.

The question is why Dallas wouldn't do the same. Most NFL teams utilize the majority of their financial resources on quarterbacks, offensive tackles, edge-rushers, wide receivers and cornerbacks, and Parsons is in the conversation for being the best pass-rusher in the sport.

Last season's 12 sacks were the fewest Parsons has registered in any of his four seasons (and it came in just 13 games due to injury). He's a four-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro selection, and he's only 26 years old.

Players like Parsons normally get paid in a major way by the organizations that draft them unless those teams don't find themselves in a position to contend. Jones talks repeatedly about wanting to field a Super Bowl contender, but Thursday's decision didn't exactly put his money where his mouth is.

But for Cowboys fans, it might have clarified just how seriously Jones actually pursues winning. Jones and the Cowboys are always good for a headline, but there's a reason they haven't won a Super Bowl in three decades.