Micah Parsons trade: Green Bay Packers send Kenny Clark and two first-round picks to Dallas Cowboys for star defensive end
Micah Parsons has been traded to the Green Bay Packers with the Dallas Cowboys receiving two first-round picks and Kenny Clark; Sky Sports to show more NFL games than ever before as part of new three-year deal, including all NFL London and Europe games
Friday 29 August 2025 12:34, UK
Micah Parsons has been traded to the Green Bay Packers in a blockbuster move, with the Dallas Cowboys receiving two first-round picks and Kenny Clark.
Parsons will sign a four-year, $188m deal in Green Bay, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
Thursday's deal between the Cowboys and Packers brings a conclusion to a saga that dragged through the offseason into training camp and the preseason.
Parsons occupies a special place in NFL history as one of only three defenders to make the Pro Bowl in each of his first four campaigns, joining future Hall of Famers Aaron Donald and Patrick Peterson.
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"I never wanted this chapter to end, but not everything was in my control," Parsons said in a statement posted on social media.
"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."
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones declined to discuss Parsons' deal with agent David Mulugheta. Instead, Jones spoke directly to Parsons and insisted they had agreed on the parameters of a new contract.
The 26-year-old Parsons has 52.2 sacks, recording at least 12 in each of his four seasons while making the Pro Bowl each year.
Parsons provides a huge boost for a franchise that has reached the playoffs five of the past six years but hasn't made it to the NFL championship game since Aaron Rodgers led them to their fourth Super Bowl title 15 years ago.
Parsons strengthens a defense that was inconsistent at getting to opposing quarterbacks last season, when the Packers went 11-7 and lost to Philadelphia in the NFC wild-card round. The Packers had 45 sacks last season to tie for eighth place in the NFL, but more than half of those sacks came in just four games.
In seven of their 17 games, the Packers had no more than one sack while ranking 16th in pressure rate across the campaign.
Even with Parsons, who missed four games because of injury last season, Dallas finished 28th in defense as the team went 7-10. The Cowboys have a healthy Dak Prescott returning but Parsons' departure marks a devastating blow for the defense.
The Packers haven't had anyone record 12 sacks in a season since Za'Darius Smith had 12.5 in 2020.
Parsons trade 'in best interest' of Cowboys
Cowboys owner Jones staunchly defended the decision to trade Parsons, insisting acquiring Clark and two first-round draft picks was in the best interest of the organisation.
"We believed this move was in the best interest of our organisation - not just for the future, but for this season as well," Jones said. "We've added a Pro Bowl player in a position where we had serious concerns on the interior of our defence.
"I really like Micah and appreciate the four years we've had with him. He's a great player, and we're grateful for that.
"I could have signed him in April, but agreements require both sides to align. This was intentional. I made him an offer, but it wasn't acceptable to him. I respect that he chose not to go through an agent. There's no vindictiveness or bad feelings - just mutual respect."
On the strategic thinking behind the trade, Jones added: "This was a deliberate decision. Micah was a key player who brought us significant value - both now, with the player we've acquired to help stop the run, and in the future, with the capital needed to build a strong team."
'Cowboys fans despairing again'
Analysis from Sky Sports' Cam Hogwood:
"The Super Bowl hunt just changed again. Dallas Cowboys fans are despairing again. Jerry Jones is facing questions again. And the Green Bay Packers are grinning their way into Micah Parsons-bolstered contention.
"Exactly one week out from kickoff, the NFL whet the appetite for the new campaign perfectly by welcoming the biggest, most blockbuster deal of the offseason.
"Jones had deemed Parsons' recent trade request a classic negotiating tactic, only to lose his prized asset and only to hand over one of the league's most destructive game-changers to Matt LaFleur, Jeff Hafley and co.
"Premium pass rushers are a luxury in today's NFL, and few, if any, are as impactful as Parsons, who arrives as a Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner whose introduction at Lambeau Field alters the landscape of the NFC.
"The head coach-quarterback marriage of Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams in Chicago just endured a premature hiccup, J.J. McCarthy's first year as a starter in Minnesota just became more daunting, and the Detroit Lions' recent hold on the NFC North just received new warning shots.
"Parsons becomes the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, taking a sledgehammer to the market once more and fuelling already-unrivalled scrutiny over the world's most valuable sporting team."
Sky Sports to show more NFL games in new three-year deal
Sky Sports has announced a new three-year deal with the NFL, extending its long-standing partnership with the league to over 30 years and cementing its position as the home of the NFL in the UK & Ireland.
Fans can once again look forward to the best games every week on Sky, with the broadcaster having the first-pick exclusive game on Sunday at 6pm live on Sky Sports NFL and the first pick for the Sunday 9pm game.
There will also be more choice as a second game at 6pm and up to an additional two games at 9pm will also be shown live on Sky Sports concurrently.
In another first, all London and Europe games will be broadcast live on Sky, including the highly anticipated inaugural games in Ireland and Spain. Combined, this equates to a near 50 per cent increase in the number of live matches available to Sky Sports customers.
The highly popular NFL RedZone programme will also continue to be shown live on Sky, alongside every Thursday Night, Sunday Night and Monday Night Football, Thanksgiving games, the Playoffs and the Super Bowl.
You can also stay up-to-date with the latest NFL news, results, highlights and features across the 2025 campaign on the Sky Sports website and Sky Sports social media channels.
Watch the 2025 NFL season live on Sky Sports, including every London and European game as well as every minute of the playoffs and Super Bowl LX; Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW.
