The Dallas Cowboys simply traded Micah Parsons to the Inexperienced Bay Packers in a transfer that has despatched shockwaves across the NFL. It ends a contentious battle between Parsons and the Cowboys after the four-time Professional Bowl edge rusher requested a commerce on Aug. 1 after contract negotiations with crew proprietor and common supervisor Jerry Jones turned futile. 

Whereas Parsons requested a commerce, there was reportedly nonetheless hope that he and the Cowboys would work out a deal to maintain him with the franchise long run. So it is a relatively shocking final result given he is among the many finest defensive gamers within the league and was one of many cornerstone items of the Cowboys franchise. Nevertheless it’s not too dissimilar from what one other Dallas sports activities franchise did earlier this yr. In actual fact, there’s a number of similarities between the 2. 

I am in fact speaking about when the Dallas Mavericks traded franchise centerpiece Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 2, a deal that was broadly panned and continues to be being talked about six months later. Not like Parsons, Dončić by no means requested a commerce, however envisioned himself enjoying in Dallas for the whole thing of his profession. Parsons additionally felt the identical approach at one level, saying on his podcast in December 2024, “Y’all know I will be a Cowboy for all times.”

Now, although, within the span of six months, two Dallas sports activities groups have jettisoned their generational gamers — for comparably underwhelming returns — creating one other wave of heartbreak for his or her followers. To make it much more eerie, each Parsons and Dončić are the identical age (26) and had been moved to historic franchises which might be set as much as contend for championships sooner or later.

The subpar returns in each situations additionally makes this really feel just like the Spider-Man meme with everybody pointing at one another. Whereas Mavericks received an All-Star participant in return with Anthony Davis, the Cowboys managed to get two first-round picks and a Professional Bowl-level defensive deal with in Kenny Clark. However in each conditions had these two groups not haphazardly and spontaneously agreed to commerce their star gamers, they may’ve gotten much better returns. With the contract talks already in a contentious place, the Cowboys may’ve dealt Parsons months in the past and created a bidding conflict with many different groups relatively than finishing a deal mere days earlier than the beginning of the NFL season. The identical is true of the Mavericks, who despatched Dončić packing beneath the cloak of darkness whereas not one of the different 28 groups even knew he was on the buying and selling block. Each conditions got here collectively rapidly and unexpectedly, and have left everybody scratching their heads.

There should be one thing within the water out in Dallas, as a result of for Jones and Mavericks common supervisor Nico Harrison to drag off comparable trades in the identical yr is thoughts blowing. Buying and selling Parsons is in the identical territory of the Dončić deal: you simply cannot let that occur. Sending a 26-year-old star participant, who has barely scratched the floor of his prime to a crew that you simply simply received steamrolled by within the playoffs simply over a yr and a half in the past is inexcusable. 

Whereas Parsons would not have fairly the illustrious resume that Dončić carries round, he is unquestionably top-of-the-line gamers not simply on protection, however within the entirety of the NFL. Our CBS Sports activities’ High 100 NFL participant rating had him at No. 10 this yr, and you would argue he must be greater, that is simply how impactful he’s on protection. Greater than that, subsequent to Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb jerseys, Parsons might be the commonest one you’d see worn by followers.

Initially of this yr, Dončić and Parsons jerseys had been most likely the most secure ones a Dallas sports activities fan may purchase when it comes to the chance that neither of them can be traded. However now with every week earlier than the Cowboys hit the highway to tackle the defending Tremendous Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1, these followers must reconcile with yet one more common Dallas sports activities icon being traded in surprising trend.

If these two trades proceed to parallel one another although, maybe the Cowboys may also luck out and land the No. 1 total decide in subsequent yr’s draft with the chance to signal a generational participant. Let’s not maintain our breathe for that, but when Arch Manning declares for the draft and the Cowboys find yourself with the No. 1 decide, that may undoubtedly set the sports activities world ablaze once more.