NFL rumors: Cowboys inserted Micah Parsons trade ‘poison pill’ to block Eagles deal
The Cowboys put a 'poison pill' in their Micah Prsons trade that would block him from playing for the Eagles.
The Dallas Cowboys had a few suitors for Micah Parsons before they traded him to the Green Bay Packers. One of those suitors was the Philadelphia Eagles, but the Cowboys made sure he wouldn't go there now, or in the future, as they put a ‘poison pill' in the deal to block him from their division rival, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
“The previously unreported condition states that if the Packers decide to trade Parsons to a team in the NFC East division — the Eagles tried to trade for him last summer before being rebuffed — then Green Bay would owe Dallas its 2028 first-round draft pick, sources involved in the trade told ESPN,” Schefter wrote.
The same was put in place for Kenny Clark, who was involved in the trade. If the Cowboys trade Clark to a team in the NFC North, they would owe the Packers their 2028 first-round pick.
The conditions were put in place in the deal so Parsons wouldn't have a chance to play for the Eagles, which isn't far from where he grew up. Parsons isn't completely blocked from playing for the Eagles or another NFC East team, just this season and in 2026.
It was noted that the Eagles were interested in Parsons, but it looks like the Cowboys were never going to be interested in sending him there. General manager Howie Roseman has shown his willingness to make big deals almost every year, and it was no surprise that he tried to go after one of the best young pass rushers in the league.
Parsons has 6.5 sacks this season and is leading the Packers' defense, which currently ranks fifth in total defense.
There shouldn't be a reason why the Packers would want to trade Parsons anytime soon, but the Cowboys wanted to make sure, just in case they do, it wasn't to the Eagles.
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.
