Micah Parsons trade: Michael Irvin calls decision by Dallas Cowboys a 'crazy, dumb move'

After months of speculation, the Dallas Cowboys shocked the entire sports world Thursday night when they traded three-time All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers for two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. This came after the Cowboys and Parsons (and his agent) were unable to reach an agreement on a long-term deal, leading to him asking for a trade.

Green Bay and Parsons’ agent worked quickly on a deal, which made the Penn State alum the highest-paid non-quarterback in the history of the National Football League. Parsons put pen to paper on a 4-year, $188 million contract Thursday night.

This move comes as a shot to the heart to Dallas Cowboys fans, who have grown to love Parsons over his four-year span with the organization. Nobody, however, was more hurt than Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Michael Irvin, who played for Dallas over the entire duration of his 12-year career (1988-1999)

“This is a gamble that they should not have taken in my personal opinion,” Irvin said on his YouTube channel Thursday night. “The last personal thing with Jerry (Jones) was between him and Jimmy (Johnson). That got in the way of a Super Bowl that year. There’s a good chance this personal thing, this time, Micah and his agent has a good opportunity to get in the way of what I thought was a Super Bowl opportunity. You add the offensive weapons to put points on the board in George Pickens. Now, you’re going to need a pass-rusher to get to the quarterback because they’ll have to catch up because you let Micah Parsons go.”

Dallas did acquire three-time Pro Bowl DT Kenny Clark in the deal. However, it will be hard for him to measure anywhere close to the production that Parsons gave the Cowboys franchise for the first four years of his NFL career.

“Oh my God. I can’t believe this man,” Irvin continued. “I’ve been here all day and can’t believe this. I can’t believe we just traded Micah Parsons. That weight I feel right now… that heaviness on my heart. That heaviness on all of Cowboy nation’s heart right now ain’t going away soon. I’m gonna tell you, I was worried before. Now I just don’t know if the Cowboys can win this game (against the Philadelphia Eagles) without Micah Parsons. My heart is heavy.

“I know (Jerry Jones) loved Micah Parsons. In order for us to be right here, something had to go down to hurt Jerry personally to make this crazy, dumb move.”

Just one week after trading their cornerstone defensive player, Dallas opens the 2025 season on the road against the reigning Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 4.