Micah Parsons trade: Cowboys included ‘poison pill’ to prevent deal from Packers to Eagles
The Dallas Cowboys shocked the NFL world when, after a difficult contract negotiation, they decided to trade Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers ahead of the season. Now, ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that the deal included a “poison pill” to prevent him from being sent to the Philadelphia Eagles.
“ESPN Sources,” Schefter wrote. “Micah Parsons’ trade to the Packers included a poison pill that the Cowboys inserted to block a deal in the near future to the Eagles.”
At the time, this detail wasn’t known to the public. However, that poison pill is, in essence, that is designed to keep Parsons from playing with Philadelphia, a division rival, in the near future. It states that, if Green Bay tried to trade Parsons to an NFC East team, they would additionally owe Dallas their 2028 first round pick. That, obviously, becomes a major reason to de-incentivize that kind of trade. It also comes after the Eagles tried to trade for him last offseason.
“League sources said these poison-pill conditions clearly and smartly were put into place to block Parsons from winding up in Philadelphia, not far from where he grew up and one day wanted to play,” Schefter wrote. “The poison-pill conditions apply to this season and 2026, according to sources, meaning the Packers don’t have a clear path to trade Parsons to another NFC East team until 2027 at the earliest.”
The kind of poison pill found in the Parsons trade isn’t unheard of in NFL history. The Packers included one when they moved on from Brett Favre too, trying to keep him from ending up with the Minnesota Vikings within their division. Adam Schefter further reported that the other player involved in the trade, Kenny Clark, had a similar poison pill attached to him. If Dallas sends him to an NFC North team, they also send their 2028 first round pick to Green Bay.
Dallas has been making several moves involving picks lately, adding to the questions about how many future draft picks the Cowboys are going to have. A future first and second round pick went to the Jets, along with Mazi Smith, for Quinnen Williams. This comes after Dallas picked up two first round picks from Green Bay in the Parsons trade. Notably, however, neither team can trade their 2028 first round pick as a result.
Of course, the Packers don’t seem to want to trade the Parsons, to the Eagles or anyone else. They signed him to a four-year, $188 million contract shortly after the trade.
Spencer Rattler Breaks Silence: “NFL Doesn’t Care About Your Pain — You Have to Play Anyway”
In an emotional revelation that’s shaking the NFL to its core, Spencer Rattler of the
Rattler, who briefly played alongside Kneeland during his time with the New Orleans Saints, called the loss of his former teammate “devastating” and a stark reminder of the unspoken pressure NFL players face. But it wasn’t just about the grief — it was about the expectation to perform no matter what:
"Everyone thinks the NFL is just about football. But the truth is, they don’t care what you're feeling. They just expect you to show up and play. We’re told to shut off our emotions, but that’s not realistic. I feel like we’re not allowed to grieve the loss of a brother because we have to get ready for a game. That’s the cold reality of this league."
A Wake-Up Call to Fans: "We're Not Machines"
Rattler’s shocking admission sheds light on the emotional toll that NFL players endure, often sacrificing their own mental well-being for the sake of the game. As the
"We’ve got to put our feelings aside for the fans, for our coaches, and for our teammates. But losing someone like Marshawn—it’s like losing a brother. It’s not just a game. People don’t understand how much time we spend with each other, and now I have to focus on beating the Packers while mourning my friend. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do."
A Brotherhood in Crisis?
As the NFL grapples with the tragic loss of Kneeland, Rattler’s powerful words are raising serious questions about the emotional cost of playing professional football.
Is the NFL a family, or is it a brutal machine that demands players sacrifice everything — including their emotions — for the game? The death of Kneeland is only the latest in a long line of heart-wrenching moments that show just how much players endure off the field.
