Nick Saban reacts to Dallas Cowboys, Jerry Jones trading Micah Parsons: 'It'd just be hard for me'

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 four-year, $188 million contract Thursday night.

A move that significant has drawn opinions all across the football world, from Cam Newton to Kirk Herbstreit to legendary college football head coach Nick Saban. Saban joined ‘The Pat McAfee Show‘ on Friday, where he discussed Dallas’ decision to part ways with their star linebacker.

“I do not know Jerry Jones very well, but I tell you what. When you’ve got a significant, dominant player (especially pass rusher), those guys are so hard to find,” Saban said. “I mean, boy it’d just be hard for me as a coach to let a guy like that go but is what it is.”

Saban questions the decision to depart with an edge rusher of Parsons’ talent

“There’s certain guys that affect a game,” Saban said. “Wide receivers can affect a game. Quarterback can affect a game. A great runner can affect a game. But pass rushers, in this day and age of football when over 60% of plays in the NFL are passes and that guy can impact the game not just in sacks but how many times can you affect the quarterback? How much is he worried about you as a rusher? That’s the one place on defense where a guy can really make an impact.”

This move comes just one week before Dallas kicks off the 2025 season on the road against the reigning Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles next Thursday night (Sept. 4). Heading into their season opener, Dallas now boasts three former Pro Bowlers on the defense (Clark and defensive backs DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs) but doesn’t contain much depth beyond those three players. Last season, the Cowboys allowed 355.2 yards per game (28th in the NFL) and 27.5 points per game (31st in the NFL) with Parsons playing in 13 games.

“This is the worst defense in the division,” ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky said Friday morning on ‘Get Up‘. “This is the worst defense in the division now. The Cowboys are now a playoff afterthought. They were a playoff-contending team before yesterday. They are now a playoff afterthought. I would not be shocked if Dallas finished last in the division.”