PHILADELPHIA — While hanging out with teammates at the Novacare Complex this past Thursday, Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata learned the Dallas Cowboys traded star edge rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers.
“We just kind of were like, ‘What is going on?’ What is going on?’” Mailata told reporters after Sunday’s practice. “It’s crazy.”
Parsons was the one player on Dallas’ defense who could wreck the Eagles’ offensive line in Week 1. He’s a unique talent — the type of player who rarely gets traded. But Cowboys owner Jerry Jones refused to make him the highest-paid non QB in the NFL and mishandled negotiations with his agent, causing a rift between the two sides.
The Eagles could make Jones regret his decision during Thursday night’s game at Lincoln Financial Field. Dallas might not have enough depth or star power on defense to match up.
Cowboys defensive tackle Kenny Clark, who was traded in exchange for Parsons, has been a good player for a long time, but he probably won’t make up for the loss of Parsons. Dallas’ other edge rushers won’t duplicate Parsons’ production either.
“A lot — I’m going to be honest,” Mailata said on how plans change without Parsons. “A lot. 11’s a pretty good (expletive) player. 11’s a great player. We always have protection plans built in for a great player. Now we just got to figure out the players that they have on defense, can we stop them? It changes a lot.”
Mailata said the Cowboys still have a “dangerous” defense, led by a “great scheme” and talented players.
It will be the first time the Eagles have faced Dallas defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus — the former head coach of the Chicago Bears — since 2022. He could confuse new Eagles offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo with different looks.
Eagles right guard Tyler Steen said Dallas does a good job of using movement upfront to wreck combo blocks, but good communication on their end can neutralize it. He’s also glad that Parsons won’t be on the field.
“Everybody is maybe a little less anxious just because it’s not that type of player out there,” Steen said.
Growing up in South Dakota as a kid, Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert was a die-hard Packers fan, tuning in for every game with his stepfather, Gary Carlson.
After the Parsons trade, Goedert texted Carlson: “Could you imagine if we were still fans? It would be a pretty cool day.”
Goedert never thought the Cowboys would trade Parsons, but he said he’s happy to not see him twice a year anymore.
“It makes the Packers better. But it will also be a lot of fun playing the Cowboys this week and see how they do everything on defense,” Goedert said.
Some people believe Green Bay’s addition of Parsons makes them a Super Bowl contender and a challenger to the Eagles in the NFC. That theory will be tested in a Week 10 matchup between the Eagles and Packers at Lambeau Field.
Parsons has amassed 52.5 sacks in his first four seasons, making four Pro Bowls and two first-team All-Pro selections.
Of course, no Eagles player will say on the record that the Cowboys are in trouble without him, but they could be. However, the Eagles would still be unwise to underestimate Dallas.
“This is the NFL. Anyone can make plays,” Eagles backup OL Brett Toth said. “Just because one man is gone doesn’t mean that they’re completely lacking. It’s ignorant to think you can go into a week, any week in the NFL, thinking that you have an easy ride.”
Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription. Cayden Steele may be reached atCSteele@njadvancemedia.com
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