After weeks of speculation about the rift forming between star edge rusher Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys over his contract, Jerry Jones shocked the world on Thursday, pulling off one of the biggest blockbuster trades in recent memory. Micah Parsons Traded to the Packers is a shocking way to start off the 2025 season.
The Cowboys shipped Parson to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for two first-round picks (2026 & 2027) and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. After being traded, the Packers immediately gave him the contract he desired, locking him up to a four-year, $188 million contract, with $120 million fully guaranteed.
This franchise-altering trade has not only real-life football implications but also significant implications for fantasy football managers who participate in IDP leagues. Let’s take a look at some winners and losers of the blockbuster deal.
Loser- Micah Parsons, DE (Packers)
While Parsons’ bank account was a big winner today, his fantasy value took a slight hit. Parsons is moving from a group of Dallas edge rushers that ranked 12th per ESPN to a Green Bay group that ranks in the bottom 10. This could create problems for Parsons, who is likely to face an increase in double teams, making it harder for him to consistently reach the quarterback.
Parsons is going to continue to be a disruptive tackling machine, but his streak of four straight double-digit sack seasons could be in jeopardy if veteran Rashan Gary or another Packers lineman cannot elevate their game to help break up some of the double-teams. I still view Parsons as a top-12 DE in IDP leagues, but after this move, he is closer to 12 than he is 1.
Stat Watch: Sacks Down, Tackles Up
Winner: Rashan Gary, DE (Packers)
Pretty much every reason I just gave for lowering Parsons in my rankings also applies to why Gary will move up in my rankings. Parsons was the most double-teamed defender in football over the past two seasons, and that extra attention will leave Gary free to rush the passer with greater ease.
Gary has yet to crack double-digit sacks in his six-year NFL career, with 9.5 being his career-high in 2021. This season could be the year he is finally able to top that number and could line up for a career season for IDP production. He has top-20 DE potential for fantasy managers and could flirt with top-10 production if he can make the best of his newfound space.
Gary played on 59% of snaps in 2024, and with dual-position eligibility, he becomes a must-start player in IDP formats.
Stat Watch: Sacks Up, Tackles Up
Loser: Lukas Van Ness, DE (Packers)
Van Ness has not produced to the levels of Parsons, or even Gary, for that matter, but over the first two years of his NFL career, he has shown consistent production, with elite potential. This trade is bad for him. Van Ness came into the season looking to repeat as the Packers’ full-time starting right defensive end, but that isn’t going to happen with Parsons on the team.
This trade likely relegates Van Ness to a smaller role on the defense. He will still be a productive member of the Packers’ defensive line, but don’t expect him to reach last year’s totals. His best chance to produce would be if he could move over to the left side and beat out Gary. Van Ness is likely to bounce around significantly more and will have to learn to play a more versatile style if he hopes to gain any significant playing time after playing on 31% of snaps in 2024. He is easily the biggest loser of this trade with regards to IDP fantasy, as he was slowly becoming an every-down player and will now be a rotational defender.
Stat Watch: Sacks Even, Tackles Down
Winner: Dante Fowler Jr., DE (Cowboys)
The veteran Fowler Jr. is probably the biggest beneficiary of this trade. He previously spent two seasons with the Cowboys, but spent last season in Washington. After coming over this offseason, he gave the Cowboys the piece they needed to see Parsons as expendable. While Fowler Jr. is nowhere near as talented as Parsons, he is a more than adequate replacement.
His two seasons with the Cowboys saw a mediocre level of production, perhaps demonstrating how much of the play gravitated towards Parsons. Now that Parsons has moved on, Fowler Jr. can step right into the role he vacated and should fill in nicely. He is a 10-year pro and a seasoned veteran who should reach the double-digit sack Fowler Jr. saw a 51% snap share in 2024 with Washington and is likely to see a significant increase. Expect this to be a highly productive season for fantasy leagues.
Stat Watch: Sacks Up, Tackles Up