Parsons: Cowboys trading me week before season 'outrageous'
Micah Parsons criticized the Cowboys' offseason behavior following his standout debut with the Packers, suggesting his immediate impact in Green Bay could've been even greater had Dallas not dragged out their contract saga.
"These last six months were super draining, super toxic for everyone," Parsons said after Sunday's 27-13 triumph over the Detroit Lions, according to The Athletic's Matt Schneidman. "It's something that I don't think no player should have to go through. Players' faith should be decided earlier. The fact that I was traded a week before the season was really outrageous and rough."
He added, "I could've been with these guys getting better and better, and we could've had probably an even more dominant start."
Parsons finished his first game for the Packers at Lambeau Field with three pressures, including one sack. His other pressures resulted in a loss of two yards for Detroit and an interception. The 26-year-old played only 45% of Green Bay's defensive snaps while still dealing with back issues.
The four-time Pro Bowler established himself as one of the NFL's premier defenders across four seasons in Dallas. However, a contract dispute between the 2021 Defensive Rookie of the Year and the Cowboys stole headlines this year, resulting in owner Jerry Jones granting Parsons' trade request and sending him to the Packers a week before the start of the regular season.
"I'm just happy that's behind," Parsons said. "(The Packers) embraced me. They believe in my talents. They believed in me, and I'm just gonna give these guys everything I have because I know what's at stake and I know what they gave up for me to be here. I'm going to do what it takes for us to win."
The Packers - who parted with two first-round picks and defensive lineman Kenny Clark in the trade - rewarded Parsons with a four-year, $188-million extension after acquiring him.
Parsons initially requested a trade out of Dallas on Aug. 1. The Cowboys didn't deal him until Aug. 28, but Jones and Co. actually decided to part ways with their former first-round pick at least a week before training camp in July, according to Fox Sports' Jay Glazer.