The drama between the Dallas Cowboys and defensive end Micah Parsons is officially over, and it has ended with Parsons learning he will play for another team.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Cowboys have traded Parsons to the Green Bay Packers for defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first-round picks. The Packers then gave Parsons a four-year, $188 million contract extension, with $136 million being guaranteed.
After the trade was announced, Parsons released a statement thanking Cowboys fans for their support.
“From the moment I arrived in Dallas, you embraced me and my family as your own,” Parsons said. “You made a kid from the East Coast feel right at home in Texas. Every time I pulled up to work, every time I stepped onto that field, I felt the weight and pride of representing you. You didn’t just give me a jersey, you gave me a place to belong.”
The negotiations reportedly became contentious after Cowboys owner Jerry Jones engaged in discussions about the parameters of a new deal. Jones wanted to talk directly to Parsons, but Parsons said he wanted his agent, David Mulugheta, to represent him. Jones did not want that and talks reportedly stopped.
“I never wanted this chapter to end, but not everything was in my control,” Parsons said. “My heart has always been here, and it still is. Through it all, I never made any demands. I never asked for anything more than fairness. I only asked that the person I trust to negotiate my contract be part of the process.”
Parsons, 25, had been seeking a lucrative extension given to top edge rushers. The Cleveland Browns gave Myles Garrett a four-year, $160 million extension, and the Pittsburgh Steelers recently gave T.J. Watt a three-year, $123 million contract extension with $108 million guaranteed.
A two-time All-Pro and a four-time Pro Bowl selection in each of his four seasons in the league, Parsons finished with 12 sacks, 43 tackles and two forced fumbles in 13 games last season.
Getting Clark in the trade allows the Cowboys to strengthen the middle of their defensive line. Clark had 37 tackles, four tackles for loss and a sack last season. However, they will have to make up for the lost pass rush from trading Parsons, hoping defensive ends Marshawn Kneeland and Dante Fowler Jr. can fill the void.
The addition of Parsons to the Packers immediately gives them an edge in the tightly contested NFC North. They will have to vie for the division title against the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings, teams that finished with a combined 29-5 record last season. That strong competition forced the Packers to finish third and earn the seventh seed in the conference.
The Packers were among the teams with enough cap space to add Parsons to their roster. Over The Cap reported they had the sixth-most cap space before the trade at $23.1 million.
The Packers finished tied for eighth in the league last season in team sacks with 45, and having Parsons allows Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley to use him in a variety of ways on the line of scrimmage, putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
The Cowboys will have a chance to see Parsons in a Packers uniform Sept. 28 when the Packers head to AT&T Stadium for a Sunday Night Football matchup.
Chris Franklin may be reached atcfranklin@njadvancemedia.com.
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