The Dallas Cowboys are halfway through an offseason to forget, and it could get even worse with rumors of a Micah Parsons trade. After another early playoff exit, owner Jerry Jones brought back Mike McCarthy and promised to go all-in on the 2024 season. So far, that hasn’t happened, as the Cowboys haven’t signed anyone of note in free agency and haven’t restructured or extended Dak Prescott’s contract.
Seemingly content to sit and do nothing, the Cowboys will be in a bit of a pickle at this point next year. Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb are set to hit free agency following the 2024 season, while superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons will enter the fifth year of his rookie contract. With only so much money to go around, could the Dallas Cowboys trade Micah Parsons to retain their two offensive centerpieces?
Could Dallas Cowboys Trade Micah Parsons?
Most teams would never dream of letting a player as good as Micah Parsons anywhere near the trade market. A first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Penn State product is arguably the best edge defender in the game. Through the first three years of his career, Parsons has recorded 40.5 sacks, 213 tackles, 51 tackles-for-loss, and 89 quarterback hits. Now entering his age-25 season, Parsons should continue his dominance for years to come.
However, the Dallas Cowboys march to the beat of their own drum. Re-signing Dak Prescott should be priority number one, as the quarterback is easily the most important position in football. With that being said, the Cowboys are projected to have over $83 million in cap space next year, so they should be able to re-sign their quarterback without having to trade Micah Parsons.
While conventional wisdom suggests the team would sign both superstars, recent reports indicate Parson’s attitude is “wearing thin” with the Dallas Cowboys. Micah Parsons has more than his fair share of attitude problems stemming from his Penn State days, and Dallas could get a king’s ransom for the two-time Pro Bowler in a trade. If the Cowboys plan to move on from the veteran, just about every team in the league would try to go after him. However, these five teams make the most sense.
Possible Landing Spots
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars had the fewest sacks in the league last year, which is truly impressive when you remember that Josh Allen took down opposing quarterbacks 17.5 times. While the team has signed their homegrown talent to a massive extension and added Arik Armstead, they could still use another presence on the opposite edge. Travon Walker hasn’t come close to justifying his status as a former first-overall pick. Micah Parsons and Josh Allen could form the most dangerous pass-rushing duo in football, and this team needs to make a major trade to keep up with the Houston Texans.
Baltimore Ravens
Historically speaking, the Baltimore Ravens have always believed in signing multiple good edge rushers instead of breaking the bank on one great player. However, when Micah Parsons is available in a trade, you make an exception to the rule. The Ravens have to do something to make the Super Bowl, and Parsons alone would more than make up for the loss of Jadevon Clowney and Patrick Queen.
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints aren’t the most obvious Micah Parsons trade destination on paper, but you need to remember that Mickey Loomis is not your typical general manager. Under his reign, the team has never gone full rebuild and has never shied away from giving up multiple assets for a player they believe in. New Orleans does not have a long-term answer at edge defender, and the Saints will find a way to manipulate the salary cap and make the money work.
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans have the biggest competitive advantage in sports: a franchise quarterback on a rookie deal. With their Super Bowl window wide open, the team has already added plenty of talent while going all-in on the 2024 season. This team will be good no matter what, but pulling off a Micah Parsons trade could be the finishing piece for this loaded roster. No team in the league can block Parsons, Will Anderson, and Danielle Hunter. If everyone stays healthy, this team could break the single-season sack record.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers have two high-risk, high-reward pass rushers in Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa. When healthy, these two both have double-digit sack potential. However, Bosa has struggled to stay on the field, and Mack is entering his age-33 season. Perhaps the Cowboys would be willing to take one of these veterans and a first-round pick in a potential Micah Parsons trade.
Main Photo: Brad Mills – USA Today Sports
