Key Highlights
- The Dallas Cowboys traded star pass-rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers in late August.
- Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer acknowledged he didn’t “really know” if his struggling defense would be playing better this fall had Parsons stayed with the team.
- Current Cowboys players express that they cannot play the “if” game regarding the Parsons trade, as it leads to a rabbit hole of speculation and is unproductive.
- The Cowboys are ranked second in yards gained per contest but also allow the second-most points per matchup.
Background on Micah Parsons Trade
The Dallas Cowboys made headlines when they traded star pass-rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers for two first-round draft picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark in late August of 2025. The move was seen as a significant loss, given Parsons’ impact on both sides of the ball. However, the team’s decision to trade him came with a hefty price tag—Parsons received a four-year, $188 million contract that included $136 million guaranteed.
Impact on Dallas Cowboys Defense
The absence of Parsons has been felt acutely by the Cowboys’ defense. According to ESPN stats, Dallas is currently ranked second in yards gained per contest (384.1) and points scored per game (30.8). However, this ranking comes with a caveat—Dallas also allows the second-most points (31.3) and yards (404.6) per matchup. These statistics highlight the team’s defensive struggles in the absence of Parsons.
Player Perspectives on the Trade
Defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, a veteran of the Cowboys’ defense, has offered insight into how players feel about the Parsons trade. He stated, “He’s a great player, definitely, but you can’t really play the ‘if’ game. That’s not something that you can ever do in life because that’s a rabbit hole that goes on forever and ever and ever and ever.” This sentiment is echoed by other players who feel it would be unproductive to speculate about how the team might have performed differently if Parsons had remained.
Future Moves for Dallas Cowboys
With Week 9 approaching, the focus has shifted to potential trade options. Reports indicate that the Cowboys have been monitoring the market for potentially available defensive players before the trade deadline on Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.
One name that has surfaced is Cincinnati Bengals pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson, who is in the final year of his existing deal. However, insiders suggest that acquiring Hendrickson would be a departure from the team’s normally deliberate trade approach. The Dallas Cowboys find themselves navigating a challenging season with defensive woes and a significant financial commitment to Micah Parsons. The outcome of potential trades before the deadline will likely determine whether they can mitigate these issues or continue facing an uphill battle on both sides of the ball.
