Micah Parsons isn’t one to shy away from the truth - and at this year’s Pro Bowl practice, he opened up about a breakup that still stings a little: his departure from the Dallas Cowboys.
The All-Pro edge rusher, now suiting up for the Green Bay Packers, reflected on how things unraveled with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones during a contract standoff that led to one of the biggest trades in recent memory. Right before the 2025 season kicked off, Dallas sent Parsons to Green Bay in exchange for veteran defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first-round picks - a blockbuster move that sent shockwaves through the league.
But it wasn’t just the trade itself that left a mark. According to Parsons, it was how things were handled behind the scenes that soured what had once been a strong relationship with Jones.
“I just wish some of those things never happened, you know what I mean?” Parsons told DLLS Sports’ Clarence Hill.
“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.”
That relationship, Parsons said, had been solid - until it wasn’t. The turning point came during the offseason, when Jones reportedly bypassed standard protocol and dealt with Parsons directly in contract talks, rather than going through his agent. For a player who had given Dallas everything on the field, it felt personal.
“It’s sad that it went to (expletive) like that,” Parsons said.
Still, he’s not holding on to resentment. Parsons emphasized that he’s a “forgiving person,” and while he hasn’t spoken to Jones since March 18 - a date that holds personal significance as his son’s birthday - he made it clear there’s no lingering animosity.
“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 was nothing short of dominant during his four seasons in Dallas. He racked up 52.5 sacks and 112 quarterback hits, earning four straight Pro Bowl selections and two first-team All-Pro honors. His relentless motor and game-wrecking ability made him the heart of the Cowboys' defense - and a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks.
But when contract talks broke down, Jones made the call to move on. The Packers didn’t hesitate, acquiring Parsons and locking him up with a four-year, $186 million extension - a deal that made him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history.
Parsons didn’t disappoint in his first year in Green Bay. Despite missing a few games, he still posted 12.5 sacks in 14 appearances, anchoring a defense that quickly took on his edge and energy. It was another All-Pro season for the 26-year-old, who proved once again that he’s one of the league’s most disruptive forces.
“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.”
In the end, it’s a rare case of a superstar parting ways with a franchise - and both sides landing on their feet. For Dallas, the return haul offers a chance to reshape the roster.
For Green Bay, it’s a franchise-altering addition. And for Parsons, it’s a fresh start, a massive payday, and another shot at greatness - just in a different shade of green.