Micah Parsons Reveals How Close He Came to Joining the Eagles - and Why It Didn’t Happen
Micah Parsons is already one of the most impactful defensive players in the league, but his journey from Dallas to Green Bay nearly took a very different route - one that would’ve sent shockwaves through the NFC East.
During a recent podcast appearance with Panthers quarterback Bryce Young and Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown, Parsons opened up about just how close he came to landing in Philadelphia before his eventual trade to the Packers. And based on his words, this wasn’t just rumor mill chatter - it was almost a done deal.
“It was very close,” Parsons said. “Eagles, before Jaelan Phillips, before all of them, it was me.
And I was really about to come but there was one person that I had to play with that if he was gone I did not want to be there. And that was Jalen Carter.”
Let’s unpack that for a second. According to Parsons, the Eagles were prepared to make a move for him - even before their acquisition of Phillips.
But what ultimately derailed the deal was the uncertainty surrounding Carter’s status. Parsons made it clear: if Carter wasn’t in Philly, he wasn’t interested.
“They wanted a D-tackle and they wanted to trade me plus some picks. I mean, I don’t really care about the picks - but I’m coming to play next to J.C. You feel me?”
That’s a telling quote. Parsons wasn’t just looking for a new home - he was looking for the right fit.
And playing alongside a disruptive interior force like Jalen Carter clearly mattered to him. It’s a glimpse into how elite defenders think: it’s not just about scheme or money, it’s about who’s lining up next to you on Sundays.
The Trade That Did Happen
Instead of heading to Philadelphia, Parsons was dealt to Green Bay in September. The Packers sent defensive tackle Kenny Clark and a pair of first-round picks (2026 and 2027) to Dallas in return - a blockbuster move that signaled just how much Green Bay believes in Parsons’ game-wrecking ability.
And for good reason. Before suffering a season-ending knee injury in mid-December against the Broncos, Parsons was having a standout campaign. He was a game-changer off the edge for the Packers, bringing relentless pressure and anchoring a defense that had been searching for a true identity.
Even with the injury, Parsons’ impact didn’t go unnoticed - he was named to the 2026 Pro Bowl, a nod to just how dominant he was in the games he did play.
What If Parsons Had Joined the Eagles?
Let’s be real: Parsons in midnight green would’ve been a seismic shift in the NFC East. Not only because of the talent he brings, but because of the rivalry implications.
A move from Dallas to Philly? That’s not just a trade - that’s a storyline that writes itself.
Parsons didn’t exactly leave Dallas on the best of terms. He held out to force the trade, and a move to a division rival would’ve only intensified the heat between him and Cowboys fans. Imagine him lining up against his former team twice a year, with something to prove every single snap.
And from the Eagles’ perspective, pairing Parsons with Jalen Carter would’ve created one of the scariest defensive fronts in football. Speed, power, versatility - that duo would’ve been a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks.
Recovery and Return Timeline
As for his current status, Parsons is focused on getting back to full strength. The knee injury - a non-contact setback that raised fears of a torn ACL - ended his 2025 season prematurely. But he’s optimistic about his recovery.
“In September I want to be at a really good spot. So far, they say I’m fine.
So whatever that means,” he said. “There’s a timing standpoint they want.
I don’t think I’ll be on IR to start the season. I think, lofty, I’d be saying Week 1.
But realistically, probably like Week 3, Week 4, just to make sure and just getting back into football.”
That’s a realistic timeline, and it shows Parsons isn’t rushing anything. He’s aiming to be back early in the 2026 season, and if he returns anywhere near the level he was playing at before the injury, the Packers will be getting a massive boost to their front seven.
Looking Ahead
Parsons’ near-move to Philly is one of those “what could’ve been” moments that fans and analysts will talk about for years. But for now, he’s locked in with the Packers - and Green Bay fans have every reason to be excited about what’s coming next.
He’s already proven he can dominate in a new system. Now it’s about getting healthy and picking up where he left off.
And if he does? The rest of the NFC better be ready.