Report: Unusual terms prevent Packers from trading Micah Parsons to Eagles
The Cowboys inserted a clause in the Micah Parsons trade language that essentially prevents the star edge rusher from becoming an Eagle over the next couple years.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Sunday morning that when the Cowboys traded Parsons to the Packers in August, they included a so-called “poison pill” in the trade terms that requires the Packers to send the Cowboys additional 1st-round pick if they trade Parsons to the Eagles – or any other NFC East opponent – in 2026 or 2027.
After a long-running contract impasse, the Cowboys shipped Parsons to Green Bay for defensive tackle Kenny Clark, 1st- and 2nd-round picks in 2026 and a 2027 1st-round pick.
Schefter reported in September before the Eagles-Cowboys opener that the Eagles tried to acquire Parsons, but the Cowboys did not want to trade him within the NFC East.
Parsons grew up in Harrisburg and attended Penn State and is very close with Eagles running back Saquon Barkley. Schefter reported that Parsons would like to play for the Eagles at some point in his career.
The Cowboys also included a similar clause requiring the Packers to send them a 1st-round pick if they traded Clark back into the NFC North.
According to Schefter, this sort of poison-pill language was first used when the Packers traded Brett Favre to the Jets back in 2008. They reportedly included a clause that required the Jets to send the Packers three additional 1st-round picks if they traded Favre to the Vikings, who were interested in acquiring Favre, or any other NFC North team.
Parsons, still only 26, has 59 sacks in 71 games. He’s a two-time 1st-team all-pro and made the Pro Bowl in all four of his seasons in Dallas.
He has 5.0 sacks in seven games against the Eagles, tied with Azeez Ojulari for 3rd-most among active players behind Cameron Jordan’s 7.0 and Preston Smith’s 6.5.
The Eagles face Parsons and the Packers Monday night at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. It will be Parsons’ first game against the Eagles as a Packer.
