The Cowboys always find a way to be in the spotlight. Until lunch today, I thought the biggest drama would be Trey Hendrickson in Cincinnati or Terry McLaurin in Washington. But, somewhat out of the blue, EDGE Micah Parsons said he requested a trade from the Cowboys. He posted on X/Twitter the reasons for his request, and it will be seen if he will practice or even play in Dallas now.
This week, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell did a story about every NFL star’s trade value. He had Parsons’s price at two first-round picks and more. Considering Parsons is arguably the best defender in the league (at the very least, he’s in consideration for it), turned just 26 this year, and never had a season with fewer than 12.0 sacks, it seems fair.
Can this be a situation similar to Myles Garrett, with the player signing a contract after requesting a trade? Absolutely. In fact, I still believe this is the most likely outcome. Parsons is just too good to trade, and not many teams would be willing to give what Jerry Jones would want and have the cap space for Parsons’s contract. We don’t know who, but someone will make Parsons the highest defender in history.
The last true major trade for an EDGE rusher was in 2018, when the Bears traded for Khalil Mack. Some good players have been traded, but at most they cost a second-rounder. Since that first Mack trade, only two have involved a first-round pick (Frank Clark, in 2019, and Bradley Chubb, in 2022).
So the baseline we have for Parsons’s value is that Bears-Raiders trade. Although they have important similarities (both young and among the best defenders in the league), there are two problems. The first is that this was 7 years ago, and a lot can change in that much time. The other is that, although Mack had a Defensive Player of the Year award under his belt, Parsons is a better player and a year younger than Mack was at the time.
But the question remains. Will Micah Parsons be traded? And if the answer is yes, what would be the terms?
I mentioned the Khalil Mack a couple of times now, but for those that don’t remember, here’s what the Bears had to give. For Khalil Mack and a second-round pick in 2020, the Bears sent the Raiders two first-round picks (2019, 2020), a third-rounder in 2020, and a sixth-round selection in 2019. And I think this wouldn’t be enough to get Micah Parsons today.
Although Mack was great with the Raiders, Parsons has been even better. Mack’s best season, the 2016 campaign which he won the DPOY with 15.0 sacks, 2 fumbles, and 24 QB hits, is arguably better than any of the seasons Parsons has had until now. But the consistency is key here. Missing four games with an injury, he had his “worst” season, with 12.0 sacks, 2 fumbles, and 23 QB hits.
What Would The Trade Look Like?
The value that the Raiders got for Mack should be the least that a team offers if they don’t want Jones to hang up. But that doesn’t mean it’s enough. There’s a real chance that Parsons becomes the first non-QB to be traded for three first-round picks. Especially teams that think Parsons would be the key to a bigger jump. Like, you know, the 31 other teams in the league. Teams like the Patriots, who should improve after a very good offseason, could see the opportunity to, with a rookie-contract QB, over-improve in 2025.
Probably the trade wouldn’t be Parsons for three first-round picks straight-up. If Jones wants three additional first-rounders, he’ll probably have to give a Day 2 pick as well. And let me say it again: more than one team would be willing to pay this for Parsons. He’s amazing.
There’s also the possibility to include a player to try and sweeten the deal. One obvious position would be another EDGE rusher, especially considering the Cowboys don’t have amazing depth behind Parsons. But defensive back, linebacker, defensive tackle, basically any good defender, could also improve areas of need. With injuries already creeping into their offensive line, an OL could also make Jones more interested.
Even if a good player is included in the deal, it is highly unlikely Jerry Jones would accept anything with fewer than two first-round picks. According to Parsons, he was willing to sign a contract last year, which would make him top Nick Bosa’s or Justin Jefferson’s contract. Now, T.J. Watt set the bar at $41M per year. That’s exactly why you pay players early, especially when you’re talking about Micah Parsons.
