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Cowboys’ Parsons Trade Included ‘Poison Pill’ Blocking NFC East Re‑Trade Through 2026

Jerry Jones says the clause was meant to keep Parsons away from NFC East rivals.

Overview

  • ESPN reports the Packers would owe their 2028 first-round pick to Dallas if they trade Micah Parsons to any NFC East team during 2025 or 2026, effectively pushing any such move to 2027 at the earliest.
  • Jones publicly confirmed the intent of the condition, saying it was added to avoid Parsons landing with teams Dallas faces twice each season.
  • League reporting indicates the safeguard primarily targeted the Eagles after their interest in Parsons surfaced before the deal with Green Bay.
  • A reciprocal provision ties Dallas’ 2028 first-rounder to Kenny Clark, activating if the Cowboys trade him to another NFC North team and contributing to certain 2028 picks being functionally frozen.
  • Parsons’ $186 million extension through 2029 would create substantial dead-cap hits for Green Bay if he were moved in the protected window, making a near-term re-trade unlikely.