Whereas we digest the blockbuster commerce, listed here are our preliminary winners and losers.
Winner: Inexperienced Bay Packers | The Packers clearly acquired the higher finish of the deal. Any time a staff can deal two (doubtless) late first-round picks and a defensive sort out who turns 30 in October for a participant of Parsons’ caliber, it might be negligence to not. Inexperienced Bay’s inside depth alongside the line of defense took a success, with undrafted free agent Nazir Stackhouse potentially in line for significant playing time following Clark’s departure, however these first’s can be hardly missed because the Packers play deep into January and, presumably, February.
Parsons fills an enormous want at edge-rusher. Final season, Inexperienced Bay ranked No. 26 in ESPN’s pass-rush win rate rankings, whereas Parsons completed the 12 months third amongst edge-rushers in pass-rush win charge. The 2-time first-team All-Professional’s 52.5 sacks are additionally the sixth-most in a participant’s first 4 seasons in NFL historical past. (h/t Stathead)
Loser: Dallas Cowboys | It is going to be a protracted season for the Cowboys. Buying and selling Parsons makes the protection, which ranked No. 31 in factors allowed a season in the past, considerably worse. Marshawn Kneeland, a 2024 second-rounder, and veteran Dante Fowler are in line to begin alongside the sting following Parsons’ departure, and neither come near his enjoying stature.
Fowler, 31, is coming off a ten.5-sack season however solely has 55.5 in 9 seasons, whereas Kneeland remains to be looking for his first profession sack after showing in 11 video games final season.
Payton Turner, a 2021 New Orleans Saints first-round choose, signed in free company however was positioned on injured reserve to begin the season, which means he’ll miss no less than the primary 4 video games. And after producing simply 5 sacks in his first 4 seasons, it is unlikely he’ll transfer the needle a lot upon his return.
Third-year linebacker DeMarion Overshown was a productive pass-rusher final 12 months however is coming off a second season-ending torn ACL suffered in December and presently on the bodily unable to carry out checklist.
One week earlier than opening the season on Thursday towards the defending-champion Philadelphia Eagles, the Cowboys could have already sealed their destiny.
Winner: Detroit Lions defensive finish Aidan Hutchinson | The fourth-year defensive finish was at all times going to make lots on his second contract, however Parsons’ mammoth extension units a large bottom line for Hutchinson to request in negotiations.
He had put himself in line to be the front-runner for Related Press Defensive Participant of the 12 months final season with 7.5 sacks in his first 5 video games earlier than fracturing his tibia and fibula in Week 6 towards the Cowboys. Absolutely healed from that damage, Hutchinson is about to choose up the place he left off, making it solely a matter of time earlier than the Lions provide him an extension, which simply acquired much more costly.
Loser: Detroit Lions | The Lions aren’t losers for his or her eventual Hutchinson payday. That is a very good drawback to have. As an alternative, a extra authentic concern is once they play the Packers to open the season in Week 1.
The pivotal NFC North battle acquired even harder for the defending division champs. In two career games towards the Lions, Parsons has 12 tackles (two for loss), two sacks and three quarterback. Whereas he sat out all of Cowboys coaching camp with a again damage, we would not be stunned if his Packers contract additionally comes with magical therapeutic powers. Parsons has routinely gotten off to scorching begins with 4 profession Week 1 sacks, and the Lions ought to anticipate him being able to set the tone for 2025 as properly.
Winner: Cleveland Browns | It is not typically that the Browns do one thing proper, so let’s give credit score the place it is due. Earlier this offseason, Cleveland was in an analogous place as Dallas after star defensive finish Myles Garrett requested a commerce. As an alternative of acquiescing to his demand, the Browns rectified the state of affairs and gave him a deal value $40M yearly, which on the time stood because the NFL’s largest non-quarterback contract. Lower than six months later, Garrett is the third highest-paid edge-rusher, additionally behind Pittsburgh Steelers exterior linebacker T.J. Watt.
The Browns acquired forward of the edge-rusher signing frenzy, and with the mud settled on the league’s low season spending spree, it is deal for Garrett has change into a discount.
Loser: Jerry Jones | It is poetic in a way. One commerce started the Cowboys dynasty, and one other put the ultimate nail in them presumably successful one other Tremendous Bowl with Jones as staff proprietor.
In 1989, Jones traded working again Herschel Walker to the Minnesota Vikings for a draft-pick haul, a formative second within the staff’s eventual Nineteen Nineties dynasty. Over three many years later, the Parsons deal may set the Cowboys on a unique monitor. No franchise severe about contending trades its greatest participant. As an alternative, Jones successfully raised the white flag on Thursday.
It is by no means been extra clear that Dallas wants a recent perspective in its entrance workplace. So long as Jones stays as common supervisor, it will likely be inconceivable to take the Cowboys severely.
