Now that the epic trade of Cowboys star Micah Parsons to the Packers is almost two weeks behind us, and now that we have seen Week 1 in the NFL come and go, it’s likely that all parties can begin to move on in earnest. Until, that is, the Packers travel to Dallas to play the Cowboys in Week 4. Then the circus can start all over again.
For Parsons, before we get to that phase of the schedule, there was still something to say, even after his decidedly triumphant debut at Lambeau Field in a convincing Packers win over the Lions no Sunday. He made clear he is still bitter with the Cowboys not so much for the fact that the trade happened, but for the fact that owner Jerry Jones chose to drag the situation through August before finally agreeing to a move.
“These last six months was super draining, super toxic for everyone. It’s something that I don’t think no player should have to go through,” Parsons said at his locker after the Packers win. “I think players’ fates should be decided earlier.”
Cowboys Contract Approach All Too Familiar
Parsons became the third major Cowboys star in two years to have a contract situation dragged into the last week of August. He also was the third different outcome. The Cowboys had Dak Prescott in camp and playing in the summer of 2024, and did not sign him to a new deal until the morning the season started.
He still had more than $50 million on his contract, and had plenty of incentive to simply play out his deal. Star receiver CeeDee Lamb, though, was entering his option year and wanted a new contract. He held out until he got it.
Parsons was also entering his fifth year. He was a hold-in (meaning he showed up for camp but did not participate) and was traded.
Micah Parsons: Trade Circumstances Were ‘Outrageous’
The facts of the trade are not as bothersome to Parsons–at least not now–as the timing of it. Even after collecting a sack in his first game, Parsons was regretting not having had more time to work with his new team.
“The fact that I was traded a week before the season was really outrageous and rough,” Parsons said. “It’s something where I could’ve been with these guys getting better and better and we could’ve had probably (an) even more dominant start if that was the decision they were gonna make. I am just happy that’s behind.”
Cowboys Did Not ‘Embrace’ Micah?
The Packers defense was dominant in holding Detroit to just six points before a late-game drive. It could just be scratching the surface, especially as Parsons gets more comfortable going forward. He played only about 50% of the snaps on Sunday. That will get up to 80% as the year goes on.
Parsons says he has felt welcomed in a way the Cowboys did not make him feel this year.
“These guys embraced me. They believe in my talents,” Parsons said. “They believed in me and I’m just gonna give these guys everything I have because I know what’s at stake and I know what they gave up for me to be here and I’mma do what it takes for us to win.”
