Micah Parsons is no stranger to making headlines on the field, but this time, it’s what happened off the field that’s drawing attention - and emotion.
The All-Pro edge rusher, now suiting up for the Green Bay Packers, opened up about the fallout with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones that led to his blockbuster trade out of Dallas. Speaking during Pro Bowl practice, Parsons didn’t hold back when reflecting on how things unraveled.
“I just wish some of those things never happened, you know what I mean?” Parsons said.
“I wish that he never brought me into the office and just let the agent speak. And I wish he hadn’t compromised our relationship.”
It’s a candid moment from a player who, for four seasons, was the heartbeat of the Cowboys' defense - a relentless force off the edge who racked up 52.5 sacks and 112 quarterback hits while earning four straight Pro Bowl selections and two first-team All-Pro honors. Parsons wasn’t just good in Dallas - he was elite.
And by all accounts, he and Jones had a strong relationship. Until they didn’t.
The tension reportedly boiled over during contract negotiations ahead of the 2025 season. Jones, rather than working through Parsons' agent, chose to negotiate directly with the player.
That decision didn’t sit well with Parsons, who felt it crossed a line and ultimately fractured the trust between them. The result?
A stunning trade that sent Parsons to Green Bay in exchange for veteran defensive lineman Kenny Clark and two first-round picks.
“It’s sad that it went to (expletive) like that,” Parsons said.
Still, Parsons isn’t holding onto bitterness. In fact, he was quick to emphasize that he’s moved on - and moved up. He hasn’t spoken to Jones since March 18 - his son’s birthday - but he’s not carrying a grudge.
“I have no bad blood,” he said. “If I saw Jerry today, I would shake hands with him still and say thank you for the opportunity I had to be a Cowboy.”
And what an opportunity it was. Parsons didn’t just flash potential in Dallas - he delivered dominance.
But now, he’s doing the same in a different shade of green. In his first season with the Packers, the 26-year-old didn’t miss a beat, racking up 12.5 sacks in 14 games and earning yet another All-Pro nod.
The Packers wasted no time locking him down, signing him to a four-year, $186 million extension - the richest deal ever for a defensive player.
“There’s only two people who know the real truth, me and Jerry Jones,” Parsons added. “I’m not mad or anything.
I went to another historic organization. I got paid a historic amount.
So I got really nothing to be mad about in this world.”
It’s a rare glimpse into the business side of football - where loyalty and legacy can be tested by dollars and decisions. For Parsons, the move may have been painful, but it’s hard to argue with the outcome.
He’s still playing at an elite level, now anchoring a Packers defense with championship aspirations. And while the chapter in Dallas may have ended on a sour note, Parsons is clearly focused on the next one - with no regrets, no grudges, and plenty of gas left in the tank.