Just days before the start of the 2025 NFL season, the Dallas Cowboys agreed to trade All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for Kenny Clark and two first-round picks.
The Packers immediately rewarded Parsons with a four-year, $188 million contract. That extension made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league. In three games with Green Bay, he has five tackles and 1.5 sacks. On Sunday night, he’ll return to Dallas to take on the Cowboys. Unsurprisingly, this game will be nationally televised on NBC.
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In four seasons with the Cowboys, Parsons racked up 256 tackles, 112 QB hits and 52.5 sacks. There’s no question he was the heart and soul of their defense from the moment he was drafted out of Penn State.
And yet, Dallas has zero plans to honor Parsons this upcoming weekend.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 03: Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, looks on prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones let the NFL world know that Parsons won’t receive a special tribute during his return to Dallas.
“I don’t think that’s appropriate,” Jones told reporters, via Jon Machota. “Emmitt [Smith] was a different story. But that’s not to diminish Micah. I think Micah’s got enough welcome out there. We just need to show we’ve got antidotes for that.”
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This decision by the Cowboys is being applauded by their fan base.
Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons (1) against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, September 7, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers defeated the Lions 27-13.
Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Life without Micah hasn’t been easy.
The Cowboys have been a disaster on defense without Parsons. Through three games, they’ve given up a whopping 92 points.
In Week 3, Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams completed 19-of-28 passes for 298 yards with four touchdowns. One week earlier, New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson picked apart the Cowboys for 450 yards and three touchdowns.
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If the Cowboys want to spoil Parsons’ return to AT&T Stadium, they’ll need to quickly correct their defensive woes. However, it’s hard to imagine defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus will get his unit in order on such short notice.
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Sep 23, 2025, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.