Micah Parsons nearly became a Philadelphia Eagle last summer. Yes, you read that right.
The All-Pro pass-rusher, now with the Green Bay Packers, revealed on his podcast The Edge that he was this close to landing in Philly before a key sticking point derailed the deal: defensive tackle Jalen Carter.
“To be honest with you bro, it was very close,” Parsons said. “Eagles, before the Jaelan Phillips [trade], before all of them, it was me. I was really about to come but there was one person that I had to play with, that if he was gone, I didn’t want to be there - and that was Jalen Carter.”
Let’s unpack that for a second. Parsons, who grew up in Pennsylvania and starred at Penn State, was eyeing a return to his home state.
But the idea of joining the Eagles only worked for him if he could line up next to Carter, the young defensive tackle who’s quickly become the centerpiece of Philly’s defensive front. According to Parsons, the Cowboys and Eagles were deep in talks - and the deal was close - but Carter’s inclusion became a deal-breaker.
“They wanted a [defensive] tackle and they wanted to trade me plus some picks,” Parsons added. “I don’t really care about the picks, but I’m coming to play next to [Carter], you feel me? Sorry Cowboys fans, it really almost happened.”
So, how did we go from almost-Eagle to Green Bay Packer?
While the Eagles reportedly made a strong push, the Cowboys ultimately shipped Parsons to the Packers instead. In return, Dallas received a hefty package: two first-round picks and three-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Kenny Clark. It’s a blockbuster move that reshaped both franchises - and, as it turns out, came with a twist.
According to reports, Dallas included a “poison pill” clause in the trade with Green Bay. Translation: if the Packers try to flip Parsons to any NFC East team - including the Eagles - before the end of the 2026 season, they’ll have to cough up their 2028 first-round pick to Dallas. That’s a steep price to pay and a clear message from the Cowboys: we’ll trade him, but not to our rivals.
For the Packers, Parsons made an immediate impact before his season was cut short by a torn ACL. In just 14 games, he racked up 12.5 sacks, showcasing the same explosive burst and relentless motor that made him a force in Dallas. His presence gave Green Bay’s defense a new identity - one built around speed, disruption, and versatility.
But let’s not gloss over what almost was. Imagine Parsons and Carter anchoring the Eagles' front seven.
That’s a nightmare scenario for opposing quarterbacks and a dream pairing for Philly fans. It didn’t happen - but it came close enough to make you wonder what the NFC East landscape might look like today if it had.
For now, Parsons is rehabbing and looking ahead to his second year in Green Bay. But he’s made it clear: last summer, the NFL came within inches of a seismic shift. And if not for one name - Jalen Carter - we might be talking about Micah Parsons in midnight green instead of Packers green.