The trade request of Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons is one of the hottest current topics in NFL circles. A four-time Pro Bowler in just four seasons, the Penn State alumnus is one of the most prolific pass rushers in the league today.
Parsons is currently in the fifth year of his rookie contract and projects as a candidate for a massive extension. However, the Cowboys have been unwilling to reach a number he views as acceptable. His trade request may be merely a leverage play by him and his agency, but if Dallas doesn’t want to pay, they could get a massive haul back in a trade.
A trade involving Parsons would see a team acquire Parsons’ 2025 cap hit of just over $24 million, presumably along with an eventual extension. If an NFL team has the need or the resources, they should kick the tires on a chance to trade for an All-Pro edge rushers like him. These teams have one, the other, or both.
Trade Candidates for Micah Parsons
Washington Commanders
The biggest hurdle with a Washington Commanders trade is the obvious: they play in the same division as the Cowboys. Would Dallas be willing to trade Parsons to one of their biggest rivals, forcing themselves to play against him twice a year? That’s a pretty hard sell if you’re the Commanders.
However, they have a massive need for pass rushers, and they have the resources to pay Parsons. As of this writing, they’re slated to have the fifth-most cap space in the NFL in 2026. They dealt their 2026 second- and fourth-round picks to Houston for Laremy Tunsil, but an elite player at a premium position is worth giving up additional draft capital for.
New England Patriots
There’s always a possibility the Cowboys work a deal out with Parsons. After all, they resolved their contract issues with both Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. If the ongoing standoff continues, then the New England Patriots would be a great potential trade partner for Dallas.
Even after an aggressive free agency, the Patriots have over $59 million in cap space for this season. They’re a little cap strapped for 2025, but there’s always a way to make the numbers work out. Adding Parsons to a defensive line with Milton Williams, Harold Landry and Christian Barmore would be huge for maximizing Drake Maye’s rookie contract window.
Chicago Bears
In 2018, the Chicago Bears had an active offseason going into the second year of their quarterback’s rookie contract and the first year of their tenure with a new head coach. They capped it off by trading for an All-Pro edge rusher in need of a new contract in Khalil Mack. Copy and paste Micah Parsons’ name in Mack’s place.
Granted, the Bears are paying both Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo off the edge. However, Sweat has a reasonable out in his contract in 2026, and Odeyingbo isn’t a proven enough commodity to pass on a blue-chip talent like Parsons. Trading for him could be just what Chicago needs to get over the hump in a competitive NFC North.
As a former Bear, this is where my mind immediately goes when I hear Micah Parsons may be available with little to no time remaining on the offseason pic.twitter.com/O5Cz2SaeTr
— kyle (@Ky1eLong) August 1, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers
The first year of the Jim Harbaugh era in Los Angeles Chargers football was a huge success, as they improved from 5-12 to 11-6 in just one season. Expectations are higher going into 2025, but they face a difficult challenge as a playoff team in the loaded AFC. Making a major splash trade could get them to where they need to be.
As of this writing, the Chargers have over $31 million in cap space this year and over $84 million for 2026. Khalil Mack is slated to hit free agency next offseason, and Tuli Tuipulotu can’t carry the pass-rushing load all by himself. Trading for Parsons would be the big-money move Los Angeles needs to solidify themselves as one of the AFC’s elite.
Los Angeles Rams
During his tenure as the Los Angeles Rams’ general manager, Les Snead has shown he’s not afraid of a major trade. He’s given up first-round picks to acquire the likes of Jared Goff, Matthew Stafford, Brandin Cooks and Jalen Ramsey over the years. Could they make one more flashy trade to get Stafford a second Super Bowl ring before he retires?
The Rams have a good defensive line already, featuring Jared Verse, Braden Fiske and Kobie Turner. However, blue-chip players like Parsons don’t hit the market often. They have two first-round picks in 2026, and they’re fourth in 2026 cap space at over $73 million. Plus, it could be just what Los Angeles needs to get Aaron Donald out of retirement.
Oh Boy: Aaron Donald says he would consider coming out of retirement to join the Rams if Micah Parsons is traded there.
Imagine Parsons x Verse x Donald 😱😳 pic.twitter.com/k0zSu8QtCA
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 6, 2025
Arizona Cardinals
Since Jonathan Gannon took over as their head coach in 2023, the Arizona Cardinals haven’t had an individual player with more than six sacks. The additions of Josh Sweat, Calais Campbell and Walter Nolen were meant to change that. But now that Parsons wants out of Dallas, the Cardinals might not be done making moves to upgrade their pass rush.
Arizona still has over $35 million in cap space this year, and they have moves they can make to free up space in 2026. They improved from 4-13 to 8-9 last year, showing they can hang in the playoff hunt when Kyler Murray stays healthy. If they traded for Parsons on top of the moves they made this year, another major leap would be expected this year.
