Dak Prescott says Micah Parsons trade relieved Cowboys of 'headache' ahead of opener
Cowboys quarterback called the deal a solution to a months-long contract standoff that risked distracting the team
Dak Prescott said he felt relief after the Dallas Cowboys traded linebacker Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers, calling the move “a solution” that removed a potential distraction ahead of the regular season.
The trade, completed last week, sent Parsons to Green Bay in exchange for defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first-round draft picks, ending months of stalled contract negotiations that spilled into training camp and prompted public criticism from team owner Jerry Jones. "That would have been a lot more of a headache and distraction than getting a solution to it," Prescott told reporters, according to ESPN.
Prescott said the negotiations had become personal at times and that the choice to trade Parsons was not surprising to him. "It seemed like it got personal on their end," Prescott said. "That's why I wasn't surprised." Parsons spent four seasons with the Cowboys before the deal closed, and the move concluded what team officials described as protracted talks over a new contract.
Cowboys officials declined to detail the internal negotiations publicly, but the dispute dominated headlines through training camp and into the preseason. Owner Jerry Jones publicly chided Parsons during the standoff, and the fraying relationship drew attention as Dallas prepared for its season opener Thursday against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Prescott said he welcomed the resolution because it allowed the team to focus on football preparation rather than ongoing contract drama. He also expressed satisfaction with the return Dallas received in the deal, saying the package of a veteran defensive lineman and draft capital helped address the club's longer-term needs.
The trade marks a significant roster change for a Cowboys defense that had relied on Parsons' pass-rush production over the past four seasons. Team coaches will enter the regular season adjusting personnel and schemes without Parsons, while integrating Kenny Clark’s run-defense and interior presence.
For Parsons, the move provides a fresh start in Green Bay and a new negotiating environment with a different franchise. For Dallas, the trade removes a persistent off-field issue and delivers draft assets that could be used to replenish the roster.
As the Cowboys pivot to on-field preparation, Prescott emphasized the importance of keeping the locker room focused. "You try to handle things the right way and get back to the business of winning games," he said. Dallas faces the Eagles to open the season Thursday in what will be its first regular-season game following the trade.
The Packers have not released full details about their plans for Parsons' role, and both teams are expected to address the roster changes further as the season progresses. Coaches and front-office personnel on both sides will adapt to the altered lineups while monitoring how the trade affects team dynamics and performance on the field.