It’s official: Micah Parsons is heading to Green Bay after a long summer of offseason drama with the Cowboys. Here’s a timeline of how we got here.
DALLAS — As of Thursday, it’s official: All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons is packing up his bags after four years in Dallas and heading to the Green Bay Packers after a lengthy contract stalemate with the Dallas Cowboys.
In the latest shockwave to hit the Dallas sports world, Parsons was traded to the Packers on Thursday in exchange for two first-round draft picks and Defensive Tackle Kenny Clark.
Parsons agreed to a four-year, $188 million deal with the Packers to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
It marked the culmination of a long summer of offseason drama between Parsons and the Cowboys over a potential contract extension.
Here’s a brief timeline of the stalemate and how the trade came about:
August-December, 2024: Cowboys QB signs contract extension, Parsons says, “I don’t need $40 million”
After Cowboys QB Dak Prescott signed a $240 million, four-year contract extension in September 2024 and star receiver CeeDee Lamb agreed to a new contract worth $136 million over four years in August of 2024, all eyes turned to contract negotiations with Parsons.
In December, Parsons said, “I don’t need $40 million per year,” and was reportedly prioritizing reaching a contract agreement quickly so the Cowboys could sign more free agents.
March 2025: Browns sign Myles Garrett to a four-year, $160 million extension
The Browns signed Myles Garrett to a four-year, $160 million contract extension March 9, NFL.com reports, resetting the market for pass rushers.
April 2025: Contract negotiations between Parsons and the Cowboys continue, turn sour
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones spoke with the media about contract negotiations with Parsons in April, and said he’s been speaking with Jones directly, rather than his agent, and even said he didn’t know Parsons’ agent’s name (it’s David Mulugheta).
“Facts!! David is the best and I will not be doing any deal without @DavidMulugheta involved! Like anyone with good sense I hired experts for a reason. There is no one I trust more when it comes to negotiating contracts than David! There will be no backdoors in this contract negotiation,” Parsons said.
June-July 2025: Parsons appears at Cowboys minicamp
In June of 2025, Parsons appeared at a mandatory minicamp despite not consistently showing up during the voluntary portions of the offseason.
Parsons said in July that there was “not really much movement” in contract negotiations as he attended training camp.
August 1, 2025: Parsons requests a trade
Parsons announced on social media Aug. 1 that he was requesting a trade out of Dallas.
“Unfortunately, I no longer want to be here,” Parsons wrote. “I no longer want to be held to close door negotiations without my agent present. I no longer want shots taken at me for getting injured while laying it on the line for the organization our fans and my teammates.”
Aug. 2, 2025: Jerry Jones dismisses trade request
The day after Parsons requested a trade, Jones said he didn’t intend to trade him.
“Surely you guys have been around this stuff and know how to recognize negotiation talk, that type of thing. And so that’s where I put that,” Jones said.
Aug. 28, 2025: Parsons officially traded to Green Bay Packers
Parsons was officially traded to the Green Bay Packers Aug. 28, a week before the Cowboys’ season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles Sept. 4, marking a dramatic end to his four years in Dallas. Jerry Jones in his press conference said it was a decision that the Cowboys had been considering since trade talks stalled in April — but it was ultimately a move that came together quickly Thursday afternoon.