Micah Parsons got a long-term deal, a historic bag, and he no longer has to deal with Jerry Jones.
On Thursday, the Dallas Cowboys agreed to trade Parsons to the Green Bay Packers, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Parsons will sign a 4-year deal worth $188 million with the Packers. The contract includes $120 million in fully guaranteed money at signing, and it will make the All-Pro edge rusher the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
According to Schefter, Dallas received 2 first-round draft picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark in the deal. Clark was drafted by Green Bay in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft and has spent his entire career with the Packers. He has 35 career sacks and 416 career tackles in 140 appearances.
Parsons officially requested a trade from the Cowboys on Aug. 1 after negotiations over a contract extension reached an impasse. He was set to enter the final year of his rookie deal.
A 4-time Pro Bowler, a 2-time All-Pro selection, and the 2021 Defensive Rookie of the Year, Parsons has been one of the NFL’s best since his professional debut. He finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2023 after posting a career-best 14 sacks with 18 tackles for loss.
He is one of only 2 players in NFL history with at least 12 sacks in each of his first 4 NFL seasons. The former Penn State star was taken 12th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft and has produced 52.5 sacks with 63 tackles for loss in 63 appearances across his 4 seasons with the Cowboys.
“I never wanted this chapter to end, but not everything was in my control,” Parsons said in a statement shared on social media. “My heart has always been here and it still is. Through it all, I never made any demands. I never asked for anything more than fairness. I only asked that the person I trust to negotiate my contract be part of the process.
“This is a sad day, but not a bitter one. … Wearing the star has been the honor of my life.”
The Packers begin the season at home against the Detroit Lions on Sept. 7.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
