Micah Parsons traded to the Green Bay Packers from the Cowboys

Micah Parsons is headed to the Inexperienced Bay Packers after a blockbuster commerce on Thursday, leaving the Dallas Cowboys following a prolonged contract dispute.

The Packers gave up first-round picks in 2026 and 2027 together with three-time Professional Bowl defensive deal with Kenny Clark to get the two-time All-Professional edge rusher, who agreed to a contract extension with Inexperienced Bay.

An individual with data of the small print mentioned Parsons and the Packers agreed on a record-setting $188 million, four-year contract that features $136 million assured. The particular person spoke to The Related Press on situation of anonymity as a result of the phrases weren’t introduced.

Parsons turns into the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.

“I by no means wished this chapter to finish, however not every part was in my management,” Parsons wrote in a press release he posted on X. “My coronary heart has all the time been right here, and nonetheless is. Via all of it, I by no means made any calls for. I by no means requested for something greater than equity. I solely requested that the particular person I belief to barter my contract be a part of the method.”

Cowboys proprietor Jerry Jones declined to debate Parsons’ take care of agent David Mulugheta. As a substitute, Jones spoke on to Parsons and insisted they’d agreed on the parameters of a brand new contract.

“We did suppose it was in one of the best curiosity of our group not just for the long run however for this season as effectively,” Jones mentioned. “We gained a Professional Bowl participant in an space we had large considerations in, on the within of our protection.”

Jones added: “I actually like Micah. … He’s an awesome participant. There’s no query I may’ve signed him in April. Everyone knows to have agreements, all events must agree. I did make Micah a proposal. It wasn’t acceptable and I honor the truth that it wasn’t carried out the best way he wished to do it via an agent. There’s not an oz of vindictiveness. There’s no dangerous emotions on my half.”

The Packers and Cowboys face off in Week 4 in Dallas.

The 26-year-old Parsons has 52 1/2 sacks, recording not less than 12 in every of his 4 seasons whereas making the Professional Bowl annually.

Parsons gives an enormous enhance for a franchise that has reached the playoffs 5 of the previous six years however hasn’t made it to the NFL championship sport since Aaron Rodgers led them to their fourth Tremendous Bowl title 15 years in the past.

Parsons bolsters a protection that was inconsistent at attending to opposing quarterbacks final season, when the Packers went 11-7 and misplaced to Philadelphia within the NFC wild-card spherical. The Packers had 45 sacks final season to tie for eighth place within the NFL, however greater than half of these sacks got here in simply 4 video games.

In seven of their 17 video games, the Packers had no a couple of sack.

Inexperienced Bay ranked sixteenth in strain fee, which calculates the variety of hurries, knockdowns and sacks for every crew divided by an opponent’s drop-back makes an attempt.

Now, the Packers add one of many sport’s elite cross rushers whereas the Cowboys lose their greatest participant due to an influence wrestle with Jones.

Even with Parsons, who missed 4 video games due to harm final season, Dallas completed twenty eighth in protection and the crew went 7-10. The Cowboys have a wholesome Dak Prescott returning however it is a devastating blow for the protection.

The Packers haven’t had anybody get 12 sacks in a season since Za’Darius Smith had 12½ in 2020.

Packers basic supervisor Brian Gutekunst spoke Wednesday concerning the philosophy of taking a “large swing” to land a famous person.

“I feel each alternative that’s on the market to assist your soccer crew, we’ve all the time taken a have a look at attempt to see the way it impacts us proper now, how does it have an effect on us sooner or later and make one of the best choice we are able to,” Gutekunst mentioned. “Generally we’ve been proper, typically we’re improper. Generally we’ve taken dangers that actually labored out for us. Generally it didn’t.

“Generally we didn’t take dangers, and we glance again and need we’d have and typically, you realize, as (former basic supervisor) Ted (Thompson) used to say, you realize, God helps these that may’t assist themselves somewhat bit typically. So typically one of the best offers you make are those you don’t, you realize. And so that you simply sort of, I feel you weigh every part, and also you weigh what’s within the second and what’s sooner or later as effectively.”

The Packers, who as soon as signed Reggie White in free company, simply took their largest swing in a long time. White helped a Inexperienced Bay crew led by Brett Favre win a Tremendous Bowl and attain one other on his option to the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame.

AP Sports activities Author Steve Megargee contributed.