The Green Bay Packers shocked the NFL world by trading for Micah Parsons. Of course, it would be just as fair to say that the Cowboys shocked the NFL by trading Parsons when they did. For one of the league’s best defenders at any position, the defensive face of the franchise, Dallas netted 29-year-old Kenny Clark and two first-round picks that should fall in the late 20s or worse. There is a clear winner here, and an obvious loser.
Calling it “indefensible,” analyst Mina Kimes described the move in terms of one that didn’t happen in the opposite conference. Indeed, the Browns would have had a much easier time justifying a Myles Garrett trade than the Cowboys do with Parsons.
Green Bay Packers capitalize on NFC Rival’s misplay of epic proportion
“I’ve seen some spin on it,” Kimes said of the trade from a Cowboys perspective, “and I’m just not buying.”
Understandably. What team throws away its best player, a guy drafted 12th overall, who hasn’t missed a Pro Bowl selection since then, for what amounts to a small fry, a diet Coke, and napkins – apologies to Clark. What owner allows it to happen? The Dallas Cowboys and Jerry Jones, that’s who. Somehow, Jones proved his franchise, so-called “American’s team,” to be even more inept than one of the NFL’s most ineptly managed organizations in recent memory.
Micah Parsons, Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys
Jan 16, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Micah Parsons (11) meets with owner Jerry Jones (center) and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell (right) prior to the NFC Wild Card playoff football game against the San Francisco 49ers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
“I’ll throw this out,” continued Kimes, host of The Mina Kimes Show podcast. “It would have made more sense for the Browns to trade Myles Garrett than it does for the Cowboys to trade Micah Parsons. You know what I mean? Because the Browns, we know they’re a rebuilding team without a quarterback. The Cowboys have a quarterback. They traded for George Pickens. I think their offense is going to be good. I still think that.”
With Dak Prescott under center and a receiving corps led by Ceedee Lamb and Pickens, the Cowboys have what should at least be an entertaining air game. They’re obviously not rebuilding. Now a defense already pocked with holes has lost its only anchor.
Micah Parsons, Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys
Nov 13, 2022; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Even the miserable Browns found a way to keep Garrett, embroiled in his own drawn out contract dispute earlier this offseason. The Raiders came to terms with Maxx Crosby. Pittsburgh extended TJ Watt for three years and $123 million. The Bengals failed to extend Trey Hendrickson but – after re-signing or extending every other major piece – they patched things up for now with a 2X pay raise in 2025.
The high and mighty Cowboys are the only ones who totally flunked the contract stalemate with their own All-Pro edge rusher. And they got nothing near a commensurate return for losing him.
Reiterated Kimes, “This makes no sense to me. And by the way, if you wanted to do it, you could have gotten more. I really believe that. Nothing about this adds up.”
Micah Parsons, Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys
Oct 3, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) wraps up Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) during the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
What it adds up to for Dallas is likely one of the league’s worse defenses and another season of hapless underachievement. The Packers will happily pounce on on the blunder.
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