Grading Blockbuster Micah Parsons Trade Between Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers

There's never a shortage of drama in Dallas, and this offseason's top storyline has been the contract standoff between the Cowboys and star edge-rusher Micah Parsons.

Even as tensions rose and Parsons requested a trade, many believed player and team would ultimately reach an agreement. After all, NFL teams almost never trade game-wreckers in their prime.

Well, about that…

The NFL was stunned Thursday by news (via the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Jane Slater) that the 26-year-old had been traded to the Green Bay Packers.

The Cowboys received two first-round picks and veteran defensive lineman Kenny Clark. The Packers landed arguably the NFC's best defensive player, while Parsons secured $136 million in guarantees and the title of highest-paid non-quarterback in league history.

This blockbuster rocked two storied franchises and sent shockwaves throughout the NFL.

Here's a look at who won big—and who got fleeced.

Dallas Cowboys

AP Photo/Gareth Patterson

It's tough to justify this trade from the Cowboys' perspective, regardless of the haul.

The two first-round picks for Parsons are likely to be late in the first round—Green Bay picked 23rd in 2025, and that won't improve with Parsons around. So, Dallas gets two picks outside the top 20 for a player with four Pro Bowls and three top-three Defensive Player of the Year finishes.

The chances of landing another top-five defender like Parsons with these picks aren't good.

Three-time Pro Bowler Kenny Clark is a solid player, but not on Parsons' level—and he doesn't fix the Cowboys' issues at edge-rusher.

A team with Super Bowl hopes will now rely on an aging Dante Fowler Jr. and an average Marshawn Kneeland at a critical position.

Dak Prescott had better be ready for some shootouts, because the Dallas defense is about to get a lot weaker.

Grade: F

Green Bay Packers

AP Photo/Chris Szagola

In 1993, Packers GM Ron Wolf signed Reggie White to a four-year, $17 million contract—the third-highest in the NFL then—and a move that helped set up a Super Bowl XXXI win.

This isn't to put Parsons on White's level—at least, not yet. But the trade could have a similar, franchise-shifting impact.

Parsons is now firmly in the conversation for best defensive player in the NFL—third on my edge rusher list behind just T.J. Watt and Myles Garrett. What sets him apart? At 26, he's entering his prime.

Micah Parsons just turned 26. He's only just now entering his prime.

In four seasons, Parsons has tallied 52.5 sacks and never dipped below 12 per year, even missing four games in 2024. Only Aaron Donald, Patrick Peterson, and Parsons have made the Pro Bowl every year in their first four seasons. The first two are locks for Canton; Parsons is on the same track—that's fact, not hype.

Did the Packers pay a steep price? Absolutely. But Parsons transforms Green Bay's defense, makes life easier for Rashan Gary, and likely sent the Detroit Lions scrambling when the news hit.

Grade: A

The Contract

AP Photo/Matt Patterson

The Packers gave Parsons $188 million over four years, with $136 million guaranteed—$47 million per year to make him the NFL's top-paid non-quarterback.

It's hard to fully judge the extension without all details. The early cap hit likely isn't severe—Green Bay had $23 million in space, per Over the Cap.

By the deal's end, the hit will probably be steep, but don't expect Parsons to play out the contract as is. Like other megastars, he'll probably restructure before then, adding more guarantees and pushing the cap number out. If he continues ascending, the Packers will be happy to pay him $50 million a season down the line.

Watt and Garrett secured big extensions—right around the age Parsons will be as this deal ends.

Will the Packers need to trim salary elsewhere to afford this contract? Of course. That's the price of superstars.

And the Packers made a major move Thursday.

Grade: A-