The 2025 NFL season is officially at the 1/3rd pole now. For the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers, it has been shaped by “The Trade”.
Just one week before Dallas was to open the season against the Philadelphia Eagles, Jerry Jones traded Micah Parsons off to the Green Bay Packers.
In exchange, the Cowboys received defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first round picks. So how does the trade stack up after the first six weeks?
A Tale Of Two Franchises
The Green Bay Packers are 3-1-1. The Dallas Cowboys are 2-3-1.
Clearly it is the best of times for one, the worst of times for the other. And there’s your obligatory classical literature reference for the season.
The tie game coming, of course, against each other at the end of September.
Based on the record alone, the advantage goes to Green Bay. The Packers, who already have had their bye week, are percentage points ahead of the Detroit Lions for first in the NFC North.
By comparison, the Cowboys are just one-half of a game ahead of the New York Giants for last place in the NFC East.
Again, advantage Green Bay.
Aside from that wild 40-40 overtime tie against Dallas, the Packers have only allowed 62 total points in its other four games this year.
Parsons has 2.5 sacks, 11 tackles, one tackle for a loss, and eight quarterback hits in five games. He did not start the season-opener, a 27-13 win over the Lions.
While Parsons is behind his usual pace in sacks and tackles this year, he is clearly drawing a lot of attention and freeing up his new teammates.
Green Bay has 12 sacks as a team so far. The Cowboys only have 10.
Advantage, again, Green Bay.
Unrealized Hopes
When Jones pulled the trigger on the trade, he insisted it had improved the Cowboys’ ability to stop the run. This has been an Achilles heel that has tormented Dallas for years.
It was the reason why Dallas reached for defensive tackle Mazi Smith in the first round of the 2023 draft.
Smith proved not to be the answer, sending Jones shopping for a run-stopping defensive tackle.
In 2024 over the full season, the Cowboys finished 29th in rushing yards allowed and 32nd in rushing touchdowns allowed. In 2025 they are 29th and 21st respectively.
But that’s only because in 2025, Dallas is 32nd in passing yards allowed and 31st in passing touchdowns allowed.
In 2024, they were 17th and 24th respectively.
Not only can they still not stop the run this year, they can no longer slow down the opposing team in the air either. Mainly because they have no pash rush.
The role Parsons once filled by either getting to the quarterback, or drawing enough attention to allow his teammates to get there instead.
Failed Gamble
Jones’ moniker as “The Gambler” was heavily lauded less than two months ago when he stunned the NFL by shipping off his best defensive player.
He said he’d made the team better.
But the current numbers clearly show that he was on the draw. When it came time to show his cards, all he had was ace-high.
Six weeks in and we’ve already seen enough.
The Parsons trade will go down as the worst in franchise history. It might even be the worst blunder in the NFL since the Vikings traded for Herschel Walker.
There is absolutely no way you can know the results of the trade until the draft picks from the trade have been used. You really need to do a better job of critical thinking before you write such nonsense.
The fact that this defense can’t consistently pressure the QB and still can’t stop the run, is all the proof I need that this trade was a blunder for 2025.
If Jones wastes even one of those two 1st round picks trading for help this year and they still miss the playoffs it will become a criminal blunder as opposed to the colossal blunder it already is.
Look at Cody’s recent post on this very site. The rush IS getting there, its the coverage that allows for quick throw’s that’s at fault… but what do I know…
Exactly. This site showed the pass rush is good . The issue is the soft zone allows first read throws to open guys in under 2.5 seconds .
Stephen Jones, is this you posting under another fake name again?
Let me explain it to you like you are a 10 year old. We all love Micah Parsons but Kelly plus two first round draft picks. Granted we have to see what is available and if they are going to get at least another pass rusher. Definitely 3 and 2 that are new defensive line bodies that are hungry is the strategy. Everyone has an opinion but until we see what Dallas gets from the two draft picks this conclusion is null. I’m counting on them beefing up the defense hopefully not another route. Key statement and research for your next post. Defensive First round draft availability. Have a great day.
Kelly? Who is this Kelly that they got in the trade? I see no Kelly in the press release nor on the Cowboys roster.
As for the future picks, what good are they in 2025? Neither pick will play for Dallas in 2025.
And given the bungling of the draft in recent years, I have no doubt that Jerry will once again reach for a plyer with those late first-round picks that will prove to be a waste – See: Smith, Mazi (2023), Guyton, Tyler (2024).
Key statement and research for your next comment. Actually know what you’re talking about first. And get the player’s name correct if you want to be taken seriously.
Let me explain this to you like you’re a five year old, since that’s the level of maturity you’re demonstrating here – talking to people like this makes you a douche. You are a giant, flaming douchebag, and you need to grow up and learn how to speak respectfully if you want to participate in conversations with the adults. Okay, child?
Mike is right. Silly premature conclusion when the two 1st round picks haven’t even been used. If the land two outstanding all-pros say hypothetically, then what are you going to say? Come back and change your article? But hey I get it, enjoy the clicks and views while you still can capitalize on knee jerk conclusions.
The trade was sold to us as “making the Cowboys better for the 2025 season.”
Are the Dallas Cowboys better in the 2025 season?
A 2-3-1 record that was just two FGs away from being a 1-5 record says otherwise. And remember, the Cowboys have the toughest remaining schedule over the rest of the season.
Or if Cdee doesn’t drop a few passes they beat Philly – should have beat GB somehow after hanging 40 on a MP led defense – the media sure got quiet about GB and Jerry after that. Then the ugly Carolina game – was that really the defenses fault ? The offense stalled in 2nd half. So without the great hall of fame SB maker in MP the boys are a few plays away from being a one loss team. And that’s with a total garbage DC calling plays. They are a worse team because of the DC not the MP trade.
Making better could mean financial, locker room, not just the score board.
Given how poorly Dallas has drafted overall in the first round lately? The odds of Dallas landing two outstanding all-pros with those picks are about the same as the odds of me being the starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys in 2026.
Yeah if they kept Parsons they are a top 5 defense…. oh wait…. with him last year they sucked. He is a great player but he hasnt really made a big difference in team #s at all. GB has one more sack(u know parsons didbt deserve that sack) yhan the cowboys after the cowboys gave them there best pass rusher, that doesnt sound like micah has made that much differnce yet. honestly as far as Dallas is from REAL contention I’m ok with JJ shedding a HUGE contract and getting back 2 first rounders toward what is honestly a much needed defensive rebuild
Except they made the defense worse, didn’t they? So are all in agreement that the 2025 season was never a serious effort to win the division now?
I would say your correct on that. The fans serious effort to believe this team was a division winner – and that was before the trade. The trade made perfect sense to me. Remember Zeke when he ran off to Jamaica- should have traded him. Tyron , guaranteed hold in the 4th qtr, Smith should have gotten rid of him. Dak for that matter – he’s a lot like MP – great regular season stat player – big games and the playoffs – cant get it done. Another richer Tony Romo. Maybe a bit more durable. They really should consider trading Dak and Cdee – it’s rebuild mode – this team is going nowhere. Even if by miracle they make the playoffs it will be a blowout loss.
If they lose to Wash, Denver, and then to Arizona they need to become sellers and keep those two extra firsts to completely rebuild this team.
Of course, the first move they need to make is to fire the owner, the GM, the entire Jones family, the entire front office…
Tony Romo wins the SB Dak’s rookie year with Ezekial. Tony Romo probably plays in SB if refs don’t cheat Dez catch. Dallas can build a roster they just make decisions at times that sets them back. Dak will perform in the playoffs going forward.
And you need to take Jerry’s dick out of your mouth. I’m sure you have bills to pay but have some dignity.
It is still too early to know the outcome of the trade. But it seems though, Jerry Jones got fleeced as always. In what world do you trade your best defensive player ?
In a world where he can’t stop the run and he dissappear s in the playoffs. Team s just started running right at him and it worked. Now this offense is so good they need to be in all in win now mode and this move is better for the future possibly. The 2 first and what they do with the cap.space they created determines the trade but yes this trade made this years team worse but they weren’t good anyways.
Ugh, people like you are the worst thing about fandom. “Fans” who just talk themselves into supporting whatever dumb things the team does are like battered women talking themselves into why their husband isn’t so bad.
IMO, that “sack” MP got credit for of DP wasn’t a sack, b/c it wasn’t done BEHIND the LOS. In an interview after that game, when DP was told he was “sacked” by MP, he was surprised, then laughed, b/c he knew he wasn’t “sacked”.
So, I’m looking at 11 sacks for GB vs 10 sacks for the Cowboys. MP has eleven tackles in five games? So, he has just over two tackles per game. IDK, to me, nothing shattering there.
The outcome of the trade will not be seen for years. Those two first round draft picks and how they perform in the future will weigh heavily on which team actually “won” this trade.
He’s always drawn extra blocker and still got sacks. He’s not himself, he’s hurt imo, he can drive through like he has int he past
I just can’t believe we’re back to this again. Consider this:
Yet, we’re handing out “Grade”?
Dude, the season is over.
This team has only beaten the Giants and the Jets. It has the hardest remaining schedule in the NFL over the final 12 weeks.
If you honestly believe this team will win at least 8 of its next 12 games to make the playoffs then I’m afraid not even the best mental health experts can help you.
They will milk this topic.
So we’re supposed to just forget about the dumbest trade in franchise history after a few weeks? We are wasting the #1 offense in the league because our defense isn’t even mid-level, kind of seems like that makes it relevant, huh? Seriously, “fans” like this are the most annoying part of supporting anything. It’s not your job to convince yourself that whatever the team did was somehow the right thing, you are not a battered woman and Jerry can’t hurt you.
Parsons is doing zero for Green Bay and would be of zero use for Dallas. Parsons stands on the GB sidelines a lot watching the core defense. he cannot play against the run. So, No..Parsons would not be helping Dallas. Move on from the Parsons hype .Right now Parsons is ranking below #40 as a pass rusher and complaining about officials. he contributed 3 assists , no primary tackles and nothing else last week. If not for media hype, no one would notice Parsons.
Other than freeing up his teammates to pressure the QB and his team being in 1st place in their division.
Dallas is closer to being last in the NFC East than they are being in second, much less first.
Let’s have a real discussion. There are (2) ways to play defense:
By trading Micah, the Cowboys have chosen #2. And right not, #2 is being betrayed by this DC because he’s calling 90%+ zone with man coverage personnel.
If Micah was here, I’d be just the same complaint. Dallas being closer to last that 1st, just means that they are 3rd.
To be real, if this team is 5-6-1 or 6-5-1 with 6 games to go, they have a chance.
You seriously believe the Cowboys are going to go 4-2 against Washington, Denver, Arizona, Vegas, Philly, and K.C.?
My brother in Christ, whatever it is that you’re smoking, you need to stop.
These guys are professional and have been playing football college to pros several years. No one can make me believe the DC is at fault. If you’re not smart enough to get a better understanding of assignments from Monday to Friday you shouldn’t be on the field.
They will go 1-5 over those 6 games because they are facing much stronger opposition down the stretch than they have over the first seven weeks.
Keeping Micah Dallas loses – so they had to deal him. Therefore they won already. They could not have signed him with the current Dak, CDee contracts- it’s simple math. Add in the facts – MP cant stop the run, proven during his time in Dallas, no showed in the big games and the 2 playoff games proven again. Anyone can just guess at the future – my guess GB gets run all over in a playoff game they lose and MP is a non factor. Dallas couldnt keep him – now the guy is crying about the officials – Dallas won this deal – yes their defense is worse without him but not 43mil per year worse plus add in who you cant sign going forward and the fact this current roster isn’t winning a SB with or without him. Get rid of Eberflus, get a real DC and then let’s see what it looks like. Dallas and Jerry won this one.
“Keeping Micah Dallas loses – so they had to deal him. Therefore they won already.”
That has to be the single worst take I have ever read
So far Green Bay has been fleeced! 188 million, are you kidding me, for what?
Parsons was “found out” many times last year when teams ran at him and he was fully exposed in the playoff game between these two clubs. Parsons was a no show non-factor. He was actually embarrassing!
What has he done this year for his 188? 6 games, basically nothing.
They lost to Cleveland, tied Dallas. Cleveland, Dallas!! Two NFL powerhouses.
Getting rid of Parsons freed up Dallas some serious cap space, got two picks. A steal!
The trade isn’t going to help Dallas this year, they lost so many free agents and Jerrah whiffed on Mazi, add injuries, a 10 sack season from Parsons would have been gum on the dam.
Advantage: Dallas
We were told the trade made Dallas’ run defense better while not hurting the pass rush.
The Cowboys pass rush is nearly non-existent. They are even worse at stopping the run in 2025 than they were in 2024.
Meanwhile, the Packers are holding teams to under 70 yards rushing a game with Parsons on their team.
Advantage: Green Bay
You believed the defense would be better?
Seriously? SERIOUSLY?
He’s saying that’s how JJ sold the trade, genius. Reading comprehension is not your strength, huh?
This text has a strong opinion-biased smell rather than the objective rigour that it tries to sell. It is not factoring in so many variables, like the facts that there is a new DC, a new scheme, injuries, a non existent passrush not because there is none but because throws are being made so fast given the zone defense, etc etc etc. I don’t see how biased negative interpretations help the conversation or an objective evaluation. There is no way of knowing the final balance yet because there are many variables still in the air, like the ones I just mentioned or like the huge fact that there are still precious draft picks in the equation that won’t give results until a couple of years down the road. If you have an opinion that’s fine, if you try to sell it as an objective study when it’s clearly not the case, then that’s just poor journalism, you can do better.
FACT: We were told the trade – made AFTER the new DC was in place and had installed his defense which all the players at training camp said they were excited about – made the Cowboys rush defense better in 2025.
QUESTION: Is it?
ANSWER: It is clearly not.
CONCLUSION: The was a hideously bad trade for the Cowboys. Anyone saying otherwise is related to Jerry Jones.
Not having to pay for a guy that was motivated by money top dollar while getting specialist production is a win for Dallas. Besides the former player was attempting to start the season injured. Getting that attitude away from players ready to perform in 2025 is a win in Dallas. A few nuances and not just stats should be considered.
4 first rounders in the next 2 years added to this team could do wonders for this roster if y’all hit on the picks look out.
Worst trade ever…. gave up a 25 yr old pass rusher for late round picks….strictly ego got in the way
Jerry jones is a jackass
Trade was amazing for cowboys. First round draft picks are gold. You can lock up a stud for 5 years without paying too much. Even if they got nothing but those 2 picks they won the trade. They got rid of a huge salary and have years of multiple first round picks. It’s exactly what the lions did with Stafford a few years ago and look at where they are now.
This trade has the potential to pay big dividends for the next 6 to 7 years with young talent on low salaries
Mazi Smith is gold?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA…
This writer….obviously a Packers fan. Mica was a decent end for Dallas but any top 10 o-line would shut him down, especially when the game really mattered. only time will tell. but even with parsons, the cowboys would probably have the same record at this point in the season. i think their d will get better as a unit, hopefully before its too late for this season.
This commentor…obviously a member of the Jones family.
Parsons sack totals in Dallas:
2021: 13
2022: 13.5
2023: 14
2024: 12
But do go on about how he wasn’t any good after you take another gulp of Jerry Jones’ Fool-Aid.
Parsons today: 4 tackles, three for loss, several QB pressures, TWO sacks…
Just saying…
Yeah, they won, from behind all day to that powerhouse, Arizona. Who was Arizonas QB? Just sayin!
Actually 3, by the time the game was done. First game w/3 sacks in his career. Considering the sack numbers above, after a slow-ish start, seems like Parsons is just “regressing to the mean” (which bolsters your argument.)
If they end up with one or two stud with that pick from Green Bay. Stay draft one guy or move back in draft two. If you hit on them and they help build your team more complete and able to beat good to great teams. Than the trade will be a hit. Parson didn’t help us get pass top nfl teams. He just didn’t. Not a one men game, as we know but if you hasn’t shown you put us in place to beat those team why make you the highest paid players at your position, almost QB money.
It’s like being married and divorced sometimes. Sometimes, divorce isn’t really what you want but sometimes, you don’t have a choice in the deal. Sometimes the decision rests with the other party. This is the case, IMO, with Micah. Parsons could have stayed but he elected to move on. You can poll this any way you want but at the end of the day, Parsons could have stayed. The agent works for Parsons, not the other way around. He could have stayed, he decided to leave.
Why are we crying over this still? As many have stated, we won’t know the score on this deal till the picks are in and we definitely won’t know the score for GB until they get into the playoffs and need Micah to show up and be a difference maker. That’s when you need great players to show up and that’s something we really didn’t see in Dallas with Parsons.