Micah Parsons stunned the NFL world on Friday as he officially asked the Dallas Cowboys for a trade. While that isn’t an uncommon move in professional sports, it is for the Dallas Cowboys. Parsons has been attending training camp practices in Oxnard, Calif., but not participating on the field as he seeks a new deal in the fifth and final year of his rookie contract. From the first snap of his 2021 rookie season, Parsons has been one of the league’s top defenders, averaging 13 sacks per season.
As ugly as things currently seem, it’s still highly unlikely that the Cowboys will trade the four-time Pro Bowler. It’s much, much more likely that the dust settles, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones eventually speaks with Parsons’ representatives and a deal is completed before the start of the season. But why not see what could potentially be out there in a hypothetical scenario?
Although this isn’t a great time to facilitate a trade — before free agency and the draft would be ideal — if the Cowboys made Parsons available, teams would be lining up for an elite 26-year-old pressure player. Here are three teams that made an offer in our mock exercise.
New York Jets
Jets trade RB Breece Hall, DE Jermaine Johnson, 2026 second-round pick, 2027 second-rounder and 2028 third-rounder for Parsons
The Jets are not exactly in a position to be trading first-round picks, though the prospect of adding the caliber of player of Parsons is tempting. The Jets are prioritizing young players as they turn the page on the previous regime — and Parsons is still only 26, plays a premium position and would provide star power for a team that is lacking it outside of Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson.
Yes, they would have to turn around and pay Parsons the money he’s seeking — but it would be worth it in this case. I came up with a package without any firsts but it’s still pretty hefty: The Cowboys get two talented young players at positions of need. Hall is in the last year of his deal while Johnson has another year left on his rookie deal and Dallas defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton (with the Jets previously) knows what he’s capable of — he made the Pro Bowl two years ago. He’s no Parsons, but he has the potential to keep getting better with time and development. The Jets are very high on Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis at running back so while losing Hall would hurt it wouldn’t kill their offensive plans to run the ball more. — Zack Rosenblatt
Chicago Bears
Bears trade 2026 first-round pick, 2027 first-round pick, 2027 third-round pick, 2027 sixth-round pick to Cowboys for Parsons, 2027 fourth-round pick, 2027 seventh-round pick
Tongue firmly planted in cheek here, especially with the specifics of this offer, because the salary-cap space isn’t in an ideal spot for this, but the synergy is too fun to ignore. The last time the Bears had a first-year head coach, second-year quarterback, veteran defense and coordinator and a general manager fresh off a contract extension, they traded for Khalil Mack. And that season is their only division title since 2010! This offer is the same as Mack, but the Bears get a fourth-round pick back instead of a second. Why not do it again? Well, a few reasons. They’ve already invested a lot of money in the defensive line (Montez Sweat, Dayo Odeyingbo and Grady Jarrett). They could stand to be a little more patient and let QB Caleb Williams grow into this offense as opposed to forgoing so much draft capital to kick off the Ben Johnson era. Then again, if Johnson thinks they’re a Micah Parsons away … — Kevin Fishbain
Green Bay Packers
Packers trade 2026 first-round pick, 2027 first-round pick and WR Romeo Doubs for Parsons
The Packers don’t make these types of trades. General manager Brian Gutekunst might dry heave at the thought of giving away his next two first-round picks and a reliable offensive weapon. However, this situation is different, draft capital, Doubs and the contract Parsons is due be damned. Gutekunst is entering his eighth season as Packers GM having never made a Super Bowl appearance. New team president Ed Policy isn’t extending Gutekunst’s contract (yet), which has two years remaining on it, and doesn’t want him in a contract year. This season could be important for Gutekunst’s long-term future in the job, and what better way to make a statement to your new boss than acquiring a player who could help the Packers return to the game’s biggest stage?
Green Bay’s weakest area could very well be its pass rush, which was inconsistent last season. Enter Parsons, a future Hall of Famer if he continues on this trajectory, to solve that problem. Parsons off one edge and Rashan Gary, freed from double teams, off the other? Sounds nice to me, and I’m sure to Gutekunst, too. Jerry Jones would love an extra first-rounder in 2026 and 2027, along with a great No. 3 receiver still on his rookie contract in the sure-handed Doubs to slot behind CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. — Matt Schneidman
The Cowboys like their running back group more than those on the outside. Hall would be an upgrade, but the team isn’t currently putting a high value on the position. They haven’t spent significantly in free agency or used a Day 1 or Day 2 pick on a running back since Ezekiel Elliott in 2016. With Dante Fowler, Sam Williams, Donovan Ezeiruaku and Marshawn Kneeland, Dallas’ defensive end room might be the deepest position on its roster. It’s also unlikely Parsons would be involved in a trade that didn’t get Dallas at least two first-round picks in return. So, the Jets are out.
The Bears and Packers both have interesting offers that include multiple ones. It’s close, but the winner here is the Bears. Going off recent history, it’s more likely that Chicago’s picks will be higher in the draft. There’s also that part of the Packers being the thorn in the Cowboys’ playoff side over the last 11 seasons. Could Jones really trade a player as talented as Parsons to the franchise that has ended the seasons of several of his top recent teams (2014, 2016, 2023)? Doubs being offered was intriguing but Dallas is in a pretty good spot behind Lamb and Pickens with the combination of Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin, Jonathan Mingo and maybe another player who emerges in the preseason. Jones would probably go with the Bears’ offer, possibly using those future first-round picks for help at cornerback and along the defensive line.
(Photo: Tim Heitman / Imagn Images)
