The Dallas Cowboys have held internal discussions about potentially trading superstar EDGE Micah Parsons, according to a bombshell report by Ian Rapoport. Parsons is due a massive contract extension this offseason. If the Cowboys feel they can't afford the price tag, trading him for draft capital becomes the only solution.
Parsons is expected to demand a multi-year extension that pays him at least $35 million annually. That would make Parsons the highest-paid edge defender in the league. Can the Cowboys afford that after signing Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb to big-time deals?
We've identified three potential landing spots for Parsons in case the Cowboys are crazy enough to trade him.
Chicago Bears
The impending offseason looms large for the Chicago Bears. They made a home-run hire at head coach by landing former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. General manager Ryan Poles also possesses a sixth-most $62.9 million in cap space, according to Over The Cap.
The Bears must continue building the roster around franchise quarterback Caleb Williams. Although Williams did not meet lofty expectations as a rookie in 2024, hiring Johnson should improve his play as a sophomore. Poles needs to stay aggressive while his prized quarterback remains on a team-friendly contract. Poles has struggled to draft pass rushers. Pairing Montez Sweat with Parsons would address a long-term need once and for all.
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots hired Mike Vrabel as their new head coach. Vrabel is not patient with losing and rebuilding. He inherits a franchise quarterback in Drake Maye and the Patriots also have a league-high $120 million in cap space. They will aggressively use their resources to build a more competitive roster.
The Patriots do not have a difference-making pass rusher on the roster. Nobody surpassed five sacks in 2024. Vrabel is a defensive-minded coach who won't be satisfied with the status quo. He also coached defensive stalwarts like Jeffery Simmons, Harold Landry, and Bud Dupree with the Tennessee Titans. Vrabel and Co. could make an aggressive offer to the Cowboys while also signing Parsons to the record-breaking extension he desires. Keion White needs some help on this defensive line.
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals haven't been able to solve their pass-rushing woes. General manager Monti Ossenfort drafted defensive end Darius Robinson in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but Robinson spent the majority of his rookie season sidelined with injury. Promising sophomore BJ Ojulari also suffered a season-ending injury before the campaign even officially began.
No Cardinals pass rusher recorded more than five sacks in 2024. They're going to revamp the edge-rushing group drastically. The team's free agents include LJ Collier, Baron Browning, Dennis Gardeck, Jesse Luketa, and Julian Okwara. Ossenfort probably won't have interest in bringing any of them back. Defensive head coach Jonathan Gannon is desperate for solutions. If the Cowboys consider trading Parsons to an NFC team, they likely don't view the Cardinals as enough of a threat to eliminate the possibility.
