PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – In a contract dispute that at one point led him to lying down on the sidelines during a preseason game, All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons was traded by the Dallas Cowboys to the Green Bay Packers Thursday afternoon.
Green Bay gives up two first-round picks (2026, 2027) and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. Parsons also reportedly agreed to a $188 million deal over four years with the Packers with $120 million guaranteed.
That contract means Parsons shoots past Steelers All-Pro TJ Watt as the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history. Watt will make $41 million per year to $47 million for Parsons.
"I never wanted to chapter to end, but not everything was in my control," Parsons wrote on social media to Cowboys fans. "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. This is a sad day, but not a bitter one. I'll never forget the joy of draft night, the adrenaline of running out of the tunnel, or the brotherhood I shared with my teammates, coaches, and the staff who prepared me for every single game. Those memories are mine forever."
Parsons was the Defensive Rookie of the Year after 84 tackles and 13 sacks his first season in the NFL. Through four years he now has 53.5 sacks and 63 tackles for loss. That is close to what Watt accomplished his first four seasons (49.5 sacks and 59 tackles for loss). Watt did have 17 forced fumbles after four seasons where Parsons has nine. Watt also had four interceptions where Parsons has yet to pick off a pass.
A Harrisburg native, Parsons was a two-time All-American at Penn State and the first sophomore to ever be named the Big 10 linebacker of the year. In his final game in college as a redshirt sophomore, Parsons finished with a career-high 14 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles and two pass breakups.
The Packers went from 22-1 to win the Super Bowl to 14-1 and from 11-1 to win the NFL to 7-1 after the trade. The Cowboys Super Bowl odds went from 50-1 to 60-1.