Kenny Clark vs Micah Parsons: Who won the Cowboys-Packers trade deal? Depth charts explained

Micah Parsons is being traded to the Green Bay Packers, putting an end to the All-Pro's contract dispute with the Dallas Cowboys

Updated on: Aug 29, 2025, 03:01:57 IST

By Yash Nitish Bajaj

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Micah Parsons is being traded to the Green Bay Packers, putting an end to the All-Pro's contract dispute with the Dallas Cowboys, AP reported, citing sources. In return, the Cowboys get DT Kenny Clark and two first-round picks.

Kenny Clark and Micah Parsons are involved in a massive Cowboys-Packers trade (X and AP)

Kenny Clark vs Micah Parsons

Kenny Clark (Packers DT): At 29, Clark is a three-time Pro Bowler with 34.5 sacks and 252 tackles since 2016. His 2024 stats (5 sacks, 49 tackles) showcase his dominance, but his $17.5 million cap hit in 2025 (with an out option post-2025) makes him a costly asset.

Micah Parsons (Cowboys EDGE): At 26, Parsons is a four-time Pro Bowler with 52.5 sacks and 256 tackles in four seasons, including a 14-sack 2024. His $24 million 2025 salary (with two franchise tag years possible) and projected $172 million extension reflect his elite status.

Depth chart impact

Cowboys Post-Trade:

Defensive Line: Clark slots in as a starter alongside Osa Odighizuwa, replacing Mazi Smith (2023 first-round pick, underperforming at 3 sacks). Depth includes rookie Marshawn Kneeland and Donovan Ezeiruaku, but Clark’s experience bolsters run defense (Dallas ranked 20th in 2024 rush yards allowed).

Edge Rush: Losing Parsons leaves a void, with DeMarcus Lawrence (aging, 6 sacks in 2024) and Kneeland as starters. This weakens a pass rush that led the NFL with 53 sacks in 2024, dropping depth to a potential liability.

Packers Post-Trade:

Edge Rush: Parsons pairs with Rashan Gary (7 sacks in 2024), creating a top-tier duo. Lukas Van Ness (3 sacks) moves to a rotational role, enhancing a pass rush that struggled (35.3% pressure rate, 13th in 2024) and boosting Super Bowl odds.

Defensive Line: Losing Clark leaves Devonte Wyatt (4 sacks) as the starter, with TJ Slaton and Colby Wooden as depth.

Who won the trade?

Cowboys’ Perspective: Clark addresses a pressing need, but losing Parsons, a generational talent, cripples their pass rush, especially with Lawrence’s decline.

Packers’ Perspective: Parsons transforms their defense into a playoff juggernaut, outweighing Clark’s run-stuffing loss. The draft cost stings, but his 2024 impact (14 sacks) and youth give Green Bay a clear edge.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yash Nitish Bajaj
Yash Bajaj is a Chief Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US Desk at Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics - from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash served as Deputy News Editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he significantly expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and meticulous trend tracking across platforms. He is experienced in managing high-pressure breaking-news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Prior to Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the Sports and US news team. He developed broad editorial strategies, guided reporters across multiple beats, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. A passionate NFL fan, Yash is a die-hard supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals and has followed Joe Burrow closely since his college days at LSU. Whether breaking down top players' latest performance, analyzing team performances, or tracking roster moves, he brings the same dedication and sharp storytelling to his sports coverage as he does to American politics and breaking news. When he’s not writing, Yash can often be found watching games or debating the latest NFL storylines with fellow fans. Yash holds a Bachelor of Mass Media (Journalism) from HR College, Mumbai University. His interests extend well beyond the newsroom: he is an enthusiastic explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys unraveling conspiracy theories for fun.Read More

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