Micah Parsons is a Green Bay Packer. Well, that sure sounds surreal.
In fact, it sound so surreal that even NFL insider Ian Rapoport had to send a follow-up to his original report that Parsons had been traded from the Cowboys to the Packers: ”This is not a drill. This is real.“
It is very much real indeed, and so is the fallout of the move. There will be plenty of time to dissect this and what it means for both franchises as well as the NFL as a whole. For now, however, let’s do some quick-hit analysis and take a look at the initial winners and losers of what is one of the biggest blockbusters in recent memory.
On Aug. 1, Parsons took to social media to publicly express his desire to leave the Cowboys after four seasons. In his eyes, his contract situation had become untenable despite him doing “everything I could to show that I wante dto be a Cowboy and wear the star on my helmet.” In the weeks since that statement was released, the two sides made no progress on a new deal and in fact only hardened their respective stances.
Now, Parsons has been granted his wish for a trade and for increased compensation. Signing a four-year deal at a reported average value of $47 million makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
Winner: Green Bay’s pass rush
Whether you look at it through the lens of points allowed or EPA per play, the Packers defense was among the best in the NFL in 2024. Now, it is adding a blue-chip talent.
Parsons’ impact on the unit will be felt right away; his ability to disrupt opposing offenses has been well-documented through his first four years in the NFL. Frankly, he is a “rising tight lifts all boats”-type of player, who will help Green Bay immensely in one particular area: rushing the passer.
The Packers did rank eighth in the NFL with 45 sacks last season but only 16th in pressure percentage (22.1%). One would expect Parsons, whose 70 QB pressures would have been by far the most on Green Bay’s roster in 2024, to have a positive impact on both of those numbers.
Week 4. Sunday Night Football. AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. It’s the Packers visiting the Cowboys.
Those NBC executives probably felt quite good about that matchup already, but now with Parsons moving between those two teams they probably are over the moon. This will be must-see television, and – for better or worse – hyped up accordingly.
Move over Adam Schefter, the breast enhancement community is now the most trustworthy source of NFL news. In case you’re not sure what any of that means, we encourage you to check out this story from our colleague James Dator: The hottest Micah Parsons trade rumor comes from the funniest source imaginable
Jerry Jones may be the owner of the most valuable franchise in football, but his team has not looked the part over the last three decades. Sure, the Cowboys keep getting those primetime television slots and regularly are in contention for a playoff spot, but the closest they have come to the Super Bowl this century was when they hosted one at their stadium in 2011.
Trading Micah Parsons, even for a pair of first-rounders and a solid defensive tackle in Kenny Clark, is unlikely to positively impact his team in the short term. Does he really care, though, as long as the financial bottom line works out in his favor? That’s a question that has been Cowboys fans’ minds long before the trade was finalized.
Loser: Dallas sports fans (again)
Just look away now, please.
