Dak Prescott Says Micah Parsons Trade 'Wasn't Surprising' After Cowboys Deal With Packers

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott said he was not surprised that the team traded All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers, offering a rare public glimpse into how former teammates reacted after one of the NFL's most significant moves this offseason.

Parsons, who had requested a trade from the Cowboys, was dealt to Green Bay earlier this week and signed a four-year, $188 million contract that set a new NFL record for the largest deal for a non-quarterback. Prescott, who became the NFL's highest-paid player after agreeing to a long-term extension last offseason, acknowledged the move on Tuesday, telling reporters, per The Athletic, "I definitely didn’t think he was going to get traded. But just with the way their negotiations went down, obviously to some extent. It seemed like it got personal on their ends, so that’s why I wasn’t surprised."

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones confirmed that the organization honored Parsons’ trade request, a move that reverberated through the league and prompted widespread reaction from fans, commentators and former players. The Packers' decision to guarantee $188 million over four years for Parsons — widely regarded as one of the NFL’s premier defensive talents — marks a substantial financial commitment for Green Bay and sets a new benchmark for non-quarterback salaries.

Parsons, a multiple-time All-Pro with a reputation for disruptive play as an edge rusher and linebacker, had emerged as a cornerstone of Dallas' defense since entering the league. The trade ends a high-profile contract standoff that culminated with Jones agreeing to the player's desire to be moved.

Prescott’s remarks were measured and focused on how the discussions between Parsons and the Cowboys escalated. He did not comment on specific front-office decisions or personnel strategy. Prescott's observations provided an inside look at the personal side of the protracted negotiations that led to a seismic roster shift.

The deal gives Green Bay an immediate athletic boost on defense and hands the Packers a player whose on-field production and versatility have drawn national attention. For Dallas, the departure of Parsons removes an elite playmaker from a defense that had leaned on his ability to rush the passer, set the edge and create turnovers.

The trade and subsequent contract guarantee represent a notable labor-market development in the NFL. By surpassing previous non-quarterback contract highs, the Parsons deal will likely influence how teams approach costly investments at premium defensive positions in future negotiations. Teams and analysts have been watching closely to see how such a commitment affects a franchise's long-term salary-cap planning and roster construction.

Prescott won a long-term contract last season that elevated him to the highest-paid player in the league, a status that placed him in frequent view as the Cowboys navigated roster and financial decisions. He has been a central figure in Dallas since being named the starter and has maintained a public presence amid the team's offseason turbulence.

The sequence that led to Parsons' departure began when the player formally requested a trade. Sources said negotiations between player and team deteriorated over the course of talks, and Jones ultimately concluded that facilitating a move was the appropriate next step. That development came three days before Prescott's remarks.

Analysts said the trade will be dissected for both teams' short- and long-term outlooks. Green Bay expects Parsons to contribute immediately to a defense that has sought increased pass-rush production and playmaking ability. Dallas will face the task of realigning its defensive game plan and addressing the void left by a player who ranked among its most impactful defenders.

The move also drew commentary within the Cowboys community and from national media. Some observers expressed surprise at Dallas' willingness to part with Parsons, while others noted the complex interpersonal and financial dynamics that can influence roster decisions at the professional level.

Prescott's public comments underscored an uncommon acknowledgment of the interpersonal dimension of contract talks. By saying the talks "seemed like it got personal on their ends," Prescott highlighted how negotiations can extend beyond pure transactional issues and factor into a team's relationship with a player.

Neither the Cowboys nor Parsons immediately released detailed statements elaborating on the negotiations or the exact terms of the trade beyond the contract figures disclosed by the Packers. The teams have typically declined to provide granular breakdowns of trade compensation in the immediate aftermath of such transactions.

Green Bay's front office framed its deal for Parsons as a strategic investment in a player with proven production and upside. For Dallas, the move follows a period of roster adjustments and salary-cap decisions that the organization and its critics have scrutinized.

As both teams prepare for the upcoming season, the on-field implications will become clearer. Green Bay's coaching staff will integrate Parsons into its defensive schemes, while Dallas will adjust personnel groupings and possibly pursue alternatives in free agency or future drafts to mitigate the loss.

The trade of Micah Parsons to the Packers and Prescott's subsequent comments close a chapter of public dispute between player and club and open a new one on two different franchises' calendars. For now, Prescott's reaction offered a teammate's perspective: surprised the player would be moved but not surprised by how the negotiations unfolded, hinting at the personal dimensions that sometimes drive front-office decisions.

Further reporting is expected as the teams provide more details on the trade compensation and as Parsons begins work with his new teammates in Green Bay. Officials and coaches from both clubs are scheduled to address the media in the coming days, which should provide additional clarity on the immediate plans and expectations surrounding Parsons' role with the Packers.