Micah Parsons Reflects on Cowboys Exit, George Pickens Talks Future, and Dallas Adds to Coaching Staff
It’s been a whirlwind year for Micah Parsons, and as the dust settles on his blockbuster trade to Green Bay, the former Cowboys star is opening up about how things unraveled in Dallas - and why he wishes some conversations had never happened.
Parsons, now a Packer with a record-setting contract extension in hand, looked back on the offseason tension with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones that ultimately led to his departure. At the heart of it was a one-on-one meeting that Parsons now sees as a turning point in what had been a strong relationship.
“I just wish some of those things never happened,” 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. I thought me and Jerry had a good relationship up to that point until this offseason, and it’s sad that it went to [expletive] like that.”
That meeting, according to Parsons, sparked the contract controversy that eventually fractured the trust between player and owner. Still, there’s no bitterness in his voice now - just a sense of closure and gratitude.
“I don’t know about Jerry, but I have no bad blood,” Parsons continued. “If I saw Jerry today, I would shake hands with him and say thank you for the opportunity I had to be a Cowboy.”
And while the ending in Dallas wasn’t what either side envisioned, Parsons is embracing the next chapter in Green Bay. He’s now part of another storied franchise, anchoring a defense with championship aspirations - and he's doing it with a historic payday to match.
“There’s only two people who know the real truth - me and Jerry Jones,” Parsons said. “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.”
George Pickens Embracing the Moment in Dallas
While Parsons is settling into life in Green Bay, George Pickens is just getting comfortable in Dallas - and he’s already making it clear he sees his value rising.
The wide receiver, acquired from the Steelers in a recent trade, hasn’t had direct conversations about an extension yet, but he understands the business side of things. For now, he’s letting his agent handle the behind-the-scenes work and focusing on what he can control: making plays.
“I would love to [re-sign],” Pickens said. “But when you can’t control it, you kind of just hope for the best.
Just the ultimate best deal when it helps everybody. If it’s the best thing for both parties, then I’m willing to do anything.”
Asked if he’s spoken to Jerry Jones personally, Pickens kept it honest.
“No, not me personally,” he said. “Definitely, probably my agent. He doesn’t tell me who he calls all the time, so definitely just kind of wait it out and hope for the best.”
As for how he sees his value?
“I feel like, if anything, it went up. But me personally, my value is just a playmaker type of guy. I feel like any team or wherever I play, I can be playing in Canada, I just want them to know that I’m definitely a playmaker.”
Pickens has never lacked confidence - and with his skillset and swagger, he fits right into a Cowboys offense that’s always looking for someone to take the top off a defense.
Cowboys Fill Out Coaching Staff Under New DC Christian Parker
Off the field, the Cowboys continue to build out their defensive staff under newly hired defensive coordinator Christian Parker.
Dallas has brought in Chidera Uzo-Diribe as their outside linebackers coach following an in-person interview earlier this week. Uzo-Diribe, who previously coached the position at Georgia, brings a strong player development background to a unit that will need to evolve without Parsons.
They also added Marcus Dixon, formerly the Vikings’ defensive line coach, to oversee the Cowboys’ front. Dixon joins a staff that’s expected to emphasize versatility and aggression up front - a hallmark of Parker’s defensive philosophy.
On the offensive side, Dallas hired Stephen Bravo-Brown as an assistant wide receivers coach. Bravo-Brown, who spent time with the Browns, adds more depth to a staff that’s working to maximize a talented but evolving receiving corps.
Eagles Turn to Sean Mannion as Offensive Coordinator
Up in Philadelphia, the Eagles have a new face calling plays - and it’s a name that might surprise some. Sean Mannion, the former Packers quarterbacks coach, is stepping into the offensive coordinator role, and he’s already earning praise from some respected voices in the league.
Josh McDaniels, the longtime Patriots OC, offered his support for Mannion, emphasizing the importance of clarity and identity in the role.
“I don’t know if there is the perfect timeline for any of that,” McDaniels said. “I think when you get the opportunity, it’s probably the most important thing you have confidence in what you want to do and a way to communicate your vision for what you want it to look like.”
McDaniels knows the grind of being a first-time playcaller, and his advice to Mannion was simple: be clear, be confident, and trust your football instincts.
“He’s been around football for a long time. He’s done it at a high level, and I’m sure he’s going to do his job really well.”
As the NFC East continues to evolve, both the Cowboys and Eagles are making moves - on the field and on the sidelines - that could shape the division for years to come.