The Dallas Cowboys have parted ways with former head coach Mike McCarthy, and that move could indirectly lead to a Micah Parsons trade. One of the NFL’s elite players, Parsons is coming off another dominant season, recording 12 sacks, 32 quarterback hits, and 43 tackles in 13 games. While injuries likely cost him a spot on the All-Pro team, he still made the Pro Bowl and will earn a record-setting contract in the near future.
However, that contract might not come from the Dallas Cowboys. During a recent appearance on his podcast, the four-year veteran said that McCarthy’s departure was “devastating” and could lead to a “complete reset” of the coaching staff. This does not sound like a man who is happy with the current state of his franchise, and nobody should be surprised if Micah Parsons wants a trade. Additionally, nobody should be surprised if Jerry Jones grants that request.
Despite owning the most valuable franchise in football, Jones has been astonishingly cheap with his money of late. After dragging his heels with the Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb extensions, the owner spent next to nothing on outside free agents in 2024 and is wary about how major contracts can impact the rest of the roster. Lamb and Prescott already got their life-changing deals, and Parsons could be the odd man out. Every team in the league would love to have a player like him on their roster, but the Chargers and Panthers make the most sense.
Chargers, Panthers Could Trade For Disgruntled Micah Parsons
Even though they went one-and-done in the playoffs, the Los Angeles Chargers enter the offseason in a good place. The first year of the Jim Harbaugh Era was an unquestioned success, and now they have over $73 million in cap space to rebuild the roster. While wide receiver should be the biggest priority, nobody would blame the team if they fortified the defensive line with a Micah Parsons trade.
Despite having a strong pass rush in 2024, the Chargers have a glaring need at edge defender. Injuries have taken their toll on Joey Bosa, and the former first-round pick will probably be cut in the coming months. Free agent Khalil Mack, meanwhile, is reportedly contemplating retirement and isn’t a long-term fix even if he returns to the team. Harbaugh loves old-school football and believes games are won in the trenches, so he should be willing to go all-in with a Micah Parsons trade.
Rebuilding the Defense
The Carolina Panthers spent the 2024 season trying to fix the offensive side of the ball, and it worked. First-overall pick Bryce Young played like a franchise quarterback down the stretch, the offensive line is one of the league’s best units, and young playmakers like Xavier Legette, Jalen Coker, and Ja’Tavion Sanders hold promise for the future. Now, it’s time to focus on the defensive side of the ball.
Carolina never found a proper replacement for Brian Burns in 2024, but they could upgrade the position with a Micah Parsons trade. The four-time Pro Bowler won’t singlehandedly fix every issue on the defense, but he will bring a much-needed punch to the pass rush, which could be enough for the Panthers to win a weak NFC South.
