Report: 'Poison pill' involved in Micah Parsons trade to Packers

Field Level Media|published: Sun 9th November, 12:03 2025

Nov 2, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons (1) following the game against the Carolina Panthers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

The Dallas Cowboys traded two-time All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers in late August in a blockbuster deal.

While that can be considered a bit of old news, a new wrinkle came to light on Sunday, per ESPN.

That trade on Aug. 28 included a "poison pill," which effectively blocks Green Bay from trading Parsons to an NFC East representative in the immediate future. Should they elect to do so, the Packers would owe the Cowboys their first-round pick in the 2028 NFL Draft.

Per ESPN, the reason for the clause was the Cowboys' interest in preventing Parsons -- who grew up in Pennsylvania and played at Penn State -- from going to rival Philadelphia.

The same clause applies to three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark, who was acquired by Dallas as part of the package for Parsons. Therefore, if the Cowboys ship Clark to an NFC North representative, Green Bay would acquire Dallas' first-round pick in the 2028 NFL Draft.

Parsons, 26, signed a four-year, $186 million contract that includes $120 million fully guaranteed and $136 million in total guarantees. He has recorded 6.5 sacks in eight games this season.

Clark, 30, has 2.5 sacks in nine games with Dallas.

--Field Level Media

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