Troy Aikman Says Dallas Cowboys Can’t Win Without Micah Parsons

Troy Aikman threw his final pass for the Dallas Cowboys 25 years ago in December, yet his airtime endures for well-known reasons.

Whether in commercials, radio spots or on Monday Night Football, Aikman often has insightful things to say.

A recent podcast appearance brought more of the same, as Aikman delivered some truth not long before his longtime former employer traded star edge rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers.

“Parsons’ leverage,” Aikman said, “is that the Cowboys can’t win without him.”

That reality will be on full display when Dallas visits the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday in the NFL season opener.

Dallas’ bid to unseat Philadelphia atop the NFC East — and contend with defending division runner-up and NFC finalist Washington — figured to be a challenge as it was. The task becomes considerably more formidable without an elite defensive talent, a title Parsons certainly deserves.

While Parsons, 26, leaves Dallas amid acrimony following sticky contract-extension talks, he built a worthy résumé in short order.

Drafted 12th overall by the Cowboys in 2021, Parsons is a four-time Pro Bowler and a three-time finalist for NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

Speaking of 12, only Parsons and one other player in NFL history have recorded at least that many sacks in each of their first four seasons: Reggie White.

Cowboys defensive ends Donovan Ezeiruaku and Marshawn Kneeland know replacing Parsons will be an uphill climb — a process that begins with capitalizing on increased reps.

“Whether (Parsons) was here or not, it is going to be important for all of us to really go out there and produce,” Kneeland said. “That’s just what this is going to have to be anyway. So now we all really get to show what we can do.”

Added Ezeiruaku: “We’ve always been hungry to go get it and hit the quarterback. At the same time, we understand it’s a big piece of the pie that’s missing, that’s not here anymore. We’ve got to fill that and we’re going to do exactly that.”

On the bright side, Dallas received an above-average young veteran as part of the package from Green Bay, landing defensive tackle Kenny Clark alongside first-round picks in the 2026 and 2027 drafts.

Clark, 29, joins the lineup as a proven run-stuffer with three Pro Bowl selections. Intangibly, he also brings experience against Philadelphia, a Green Bay opponent in the 2024 season opener and divisional playoffs.

“This franchise will get everything I got,” Clark said.

Parsons once said similar things about the Cowboys. Now he gets the chance to make a pledge to the Packers. He signed a four-year, $188 million contract extension with Green Bay shortly after the trade.

The Packers, an 11-win playoff team last season even with quarterback Jordan Love sidelined for two starts, fixed a notable weakness that boosts their chances in 2025 while making them a contender for several seasons to come.

Dallas’ prospects were trending upward with a healthy Dak Prescott at quarterback and George Pickens joining CeeDee Lamb in the receiver room. But it’s undeniable what trading Parsons does to the defense.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Co. shouldn’t need a reminder of Parsons’ impact off the edge, but they’ll get one when Dallas hosts the Packers on Sunday Night Football in Week 4.

Aikman won’t be working that game, of course — but it turns out he already called it.