The Dallas Cowboys already paid star quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, which means they might have no choice but to trade edge defender Micah Parsons. A first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Penn State product immediately established himself as one of the league’s most dangerous all-around players. Earning First-Team All-Pro honors as a rookie and making the Pro Bowl in every full season of his career, Parsons is scheduled to hit free agency following the 2025 season and has a shot of becoming the highest-paid non-quarterback in football.
However, the Cowboys might not be the ones paying him. Executive Vice President Stephen Jones recently said the Cowboys won’t spend much in the upcoming offseason and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport recently posted an article implying that Dallas will consider trading their homegrown star as the team rethinks “the ramifications of paying top-end talent.”
What about Micah Parsons? Is he still in line for a big payday? Or could he be traded? https://t.co/hpZeudi2PT pic.twitter.com/YvqYLlf5fN
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 15, 2024
While Jones said he “can’t imagine” Parsons playing elsewhere, the fact a national insider like Rapoport felt the need to cover this implies a Micah Parsons trade is on the table. Every team in the league would love to have an elite player at a premium position like Parsons on the roster, but the following four teams make the most sense.
Ian Rapoport Hints At Potential Micah Parsons Trade
Los Angeles Chargers
While the Los Angeles Chargers should make the playoffs, the team is not completely made in head coach Jim Harbaugh’s image. Taking over for an ineffective Brandon Staley, Harbaugh spent his first offseason clearing cap space for the future while building a roster that could still compete in Year 1. Now sitting on a projected $76.1 million in 2025 cap space, Los Angeles can be aggressive and go after one or two star players who can put their roster over the top.
It’s hard to think of any trade target who can impact this team more than Micah Parsons. With current edge rushers Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa battling age and injuries, Parsons can be the foundational piece of this defense for years to come. Harbaugh wants to win games in the trenches, and Parsons is one of the league’s top pass rushing forces.
Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams isn’t quite as impressive as fellow rookies Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye, but he still looks like a potential franchise quarterback. Now, it’s time for the Bears to capitalize on that rookie window. The offense has plenty of playmakers, but the defense could use another elite pass rusher like Micah Parsons.
The Bears made a similar move when they acquired Khalil Mack in 2018, and he helped guide the team to the playoffs. History could repeat itself here, except this time the team has a considerably higher ceiling with Williams leading the offense instead of Mitchell Trubisky.
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are building something on offense. The offensive line is one of the best in the league, and youngsters Xavier Legette, Ja’Tavion Sanders, Jalen Coker, and even first-overall pick Bryce Young have shown promise in the back half of the season. However, it won’t matter without a defense, so the team could trade for Micah Parsons. Having never found a true replacement for Brian Burns, Parsons and defensive tackle Derrick Brown could give Carolina something to build around in 2025.
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens have one of the league’s top quarterbacks in Lamar Jackson and perhaps the league’s most unstoppable rushing attack, but that’s not enough to win a competitive AFC North without a good defense. After losing several key players in free agency, Baltimore relied on their depth to replace vacated starters like Jadeveon Clowney and Patrick Queen. The approach didn’t work, and the team could use a star like Micah Parsons along the defensive line. While it won’t be easy to fit an extension under the salary cap, Baltimore must capitalize on Lamar Jackson’s Super Bowl window.
Main Photo: Kevin Jairaj – USA Today Sports
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