Micah Parsons waving to the crowdMicah Parsons (Photo Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images)
A blockbuster trade proposal has a surprise AFC team turning the NFL upside down by acquiring Dallas Cowboys superstar linebacker Micah Parsons.

The 25-year-old Micah Parsons has been eligible for a contract extension since last year, but Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has taken his sweet precious time in negotiations. Remember, this guy waited until the team’s 2024 season opener against the Cleveland Browns to extend quarterback Dak Prescott.

Earlier this month, the Cleveland Browns handed superstar defensive end Myles Garrett to a four-year extension worth $160 million. The new deal makes Garrett the league’s highest-paid defensive player, but Parsons is sure to break that, considering that he’s four years younger.

K.D. Drummond of Cowboys Wire projects that Dallas will trade Micah Parsons to the New England Patriots in a league-altering blockbuster move, instead of paying him. In Drummond’s proposal, the Patriots would give up the No. 4, No. 38 and No. 144 picks, plus 2026 first and 2027 third-rounders in exchange for Parsons.

Drummond predicts that the Patriots will give Parsons a five-year extension worth $205 million. To replace Parsons in Drummond’s exercise, the Cowboys take Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter:

“Out with one Nittany Lion, in with another. Dallas would have to be in love with an edge rusher in order to move on from Parsons, and Carter fits the bill.”

The Patriots moved quickly to reshape their defense under new head coach Mike Vrabel, signing defensive lineman Milton Williams, linebacker Harold Landry and standout cornerback Carlton Davis III.

But adding Parsons to that defense would accelerate the Pats’ rebuild and push them that much closer to contention.

Cowboys Will Likely Pay Micah Parsons

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons in tunnelMicah Parsons (Eric Hartline-Imagn Images)
At the end of the day, the most likely scenario is that the Cowboys will hand their franchise star a record-setting extension. Jerry could trade the All-Pro linebacker, but finding a game-changing player to replace Parsons is easier said than done.

The four-time Pro Bowler is already on a Hall of Fame trajectory with 52.5 sacks and nine forced fumbles in 63 career games. So yes, Jones would be better off paying Parsons before his market increases any further.