Jerry Jones Assesses Micah Parsons Trade 1 Year After Cowboys-Packers Blockbuster Deal

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is satisfied with how the blockbuster trade that sent superstar defensive player Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers has turned out so far.

"Even though Micah's an outstanding talent [that] anybody would like to have, the bottom line is that I like what the result of the trade has ended up as I stand here today," Jones said Thursday at training camp, per ESPN's Todd Archer.

"It's like going to Las Vegas with some extra money in your pocket or going out there with the baby's new pair of shoes and formula money in your pocket," Jones added. "You can't be as good a crapshooter as you are when you've got the baby's new pair of shoes throwing out there with it."

On Aug. 28, 2025, the Dallas Cowboys traded Parsons for defensive tackle Kenny Clark, a 2026 first-round draft pick (UCF edge-rusher Malachi Lawrence), and a 2027 first-round draft choice (packaged in a deal for New York Jets defensive lineman Quinnen Williams).

The deal happened after Parsons requested a trade on Aug. 1, 2025 amid a contract dispute.

Parsons ended up signing a four-year, $186 million contract extension ($120 million is fully guaranteed at signing) with Green Bay, per Over the Cap.

The five-time Pro Bowler amassed 12.5 sacks, 41 tackles and 27 quarterback hits in 14 games with the Packers en route to All-Pro First Team honors. Unfortunately, Parsons suffered a season-ending torn ACL on Dec. 14 against the Denver Broncos and missed the rest of the season. A return date hasn't been set, but Parsons is eyeing Week 6 (Oct. 18) at home vs. the Cowboys.

Dallas' defense struggled without Parsons last year as the team allowed the most points per game (30.1) in the NFL. The Cowboys had struggled on defense the year prior, though (31st in scoring defense), although they were exceptional in Parsons' first three seasons (seventh, fifth and fifth).

It's certainly possible the Cowboys' defense improves this year, though, with a new leader calling the shots in former Philadelphia Eagles' defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Christian Parker now serving as DC.

"The fact that we revamped our defense," Jones said of the Parsons trade, "that was an instigator toward that attitude: 'Let's come in here and change this up, let's get rush from the interior, let's be stronger on the run in the interior with an emphasis on those guys in the middle.' That's not an accident. That that's what you see out there from the inside."

Dallas will get a full season of Williams after he landed in town midseason last year. Clark had a solid season, starting all 17 games, and he returns to the mix. And Lawrence should get a shot at making an impact for a team looking to improve its pass rush. Adding Rashan Gary (7.5 sacks, 20 QB hits) from the Packers this offseason via trade helps matters too.

Although the edge on the trade last year certainly went to the Packers given how well Parsons performed, it's possible the pendulum could swing Dallas' way somewhat if the Clark/Williams/Lawrence trio does well. The trade also gave more cap space to Dallas as the team hopes to bounce back from back-to-back seasons outside the playoffs.

The Cowboys' 2026 campaign begins on Sunday, Sept. 13 at the New York Giants.