During Bleacher Report’s live stream of the 2025 NFL draft, Dallas Cowboys star pass rusher Micah Parsons expressed great despair when the Carolina Panthers swiped away wideout Tetairoa McMillan with this year’s eighth overall pick. He put his head in his hands, cursed under his breath, then exclaimed, “That was supposed to be our pick!”

Well, maybe there’s a way they can still end up as teammates.

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On Friday, Parsons—citing frustrations regarding his contract negotiations with the Cowboys—requested a trade. So, naturally, the football world has tried to play matchmaker for the two-time first-team All-Pro . . . even if the smart money is on him remaining in Dallas.

But as far as Eric Edholm of NFL.com is concerned, the Panthers should be one of seven potential landing spots for Parsons.

Edholm writes:

The Panthers allowed the most points in an NFL season (534) and could use all the defensive firepower possible. Even after drafting Day 2 pass rushers Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen this April, Parsons would immediately upgrade Carolina’s defense.

GM Dan Morgan tried to take some big swings this offseason, ultimately missing out on landing WR DK Metcalf via trade and failing to sign DT Milton Williams, so you could see how a big fish such as Parsons might prompt Morgan to place a call to Dallas.

And if by some wild stroke a Parsons-to-Panthers deal happens, Carolina just so happens to host the Cowboys in Week 6.

Carolina’s projected starters off the edge heading into the 2025 campaign are a pair of former Minnesota Vikings—D.J. Wonnum and Pat Jones II. The former tallied 4.0 sacks over eight games for the Panthers in 2024 while the latter just joined on a two-year, $15 million pact.

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There’s no doubt that Parsons would be an upgrade to what the team currently has. (Heck, he’d be an upgrade on every single roster in the NFL). Edholm also lists the Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Commanders as possible suitors.

Would the Panthers, however, be willing to break their steady rebuilding approach and the bank for Parsons?

Probably not.

But if Parsons still has a thing for McMillan, then he knows where to look . . .

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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers named potential landing spot for Cowboys star Micah Parsons