Just days before the 2025 NFL season kicked off, the Dallas Cowboys made a move that sent shockwaves through the league-trading star pass rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers. But as it turns out, that deal wasn't the only one on the table. Parsons recently revealed that a return to his home state of Pennsylvania, via a potential trade to the Philadelphia Eagles, was very much in play.
In an interview with Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown during Super Bowl LX media week, Parsons opened up about just how close he came to donning midnight green.
The Cowboys and Eagles had serious discussions, and the framework of a deal was reportedly on the table. One of the key draws for Parsons?
The chance to line up next to rising star defensive tackle Jalen Carter. That pairing would’ve been a nightmare for opposing offenses-Parsons off the edge, Carter collapsing the pocket from the inside.
It’s the kind of duo that defensive coordinators dream about.
But that dream scenario came with a catch. According to Parsons, the Cowboys weren’t just asking for picks-they wanted Carter in return.
That was the sticking point. Once Carter's name was on the table, the talks hit a wall.
From the Eagles’ perspective, sending a young, dominant interior lineman to a division rival was a non-starter. And from Parsons’ side, without Carter there, the appeal of Philadelphia faded.
So while Parsons may have had some influence over where he landed, it’s clear that Dallas was setting a steep price. And given the dynamics of the NFC East-where every roster move can swing the balance of power-it's no surprise that Philadelphia ultimately backed off.
Still, the fact that the Eagles were deep in talks with Dallas tells us a lot. This wasn’t a passing conversation; it was a real possibility.
Had things broken differently, we could’ve seen Parsons terrorizing quarterbacks in an Eagles uniform. Instead, he’s now anchoring the Packers’ defense, and the NFC East can breathe a little easier knowing they won’t have to see him twice a year.
But make no mistake-this near-deal adds another layer to the already intense Cowboys-Eagles rivalry. And if Parsons and Carter ever meet on the field, you can bet there’ll be a little extra fire in that matchup.