Dallas Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones is singing a confident tune about the blockbuster trade that sent star pass rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers. In a Tuesday appearance on SiriusXM's Mad Dog Sports Radio, Jones made it clear: no regrets here.
“We feel really good about it,” Jones said. “Obviously, much respect for Micah and what he stands for and how he plays, and the caliber of player he is. But at the same time, we feel good about what we’ve added via that trade.”
The Cowboys shipped Parsons to Green Bay before the 2025 season in a deal that brought back defensive tackle Kenny Clark, a 2026 first-round pick, and a 2027 first-rounder. Parsons went on to notch 12.5 sacks in 14 games for the Packers, but Dallas used its newfound draft capital to swing another big move—sending defensive tackle Mazi Smith and two picks, including the higher of its two 2027 first-round selections, to the New York Jets for All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.
Building a New Identity
Jones believes the combination of Clark and Williams gives the Cowboys a formidable interior presence that was missing last season, when the defense allowed the third-most yards in the NFL. “You look at a guy like Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark,” Jones said. “They’re alpha players who are not only great players on the field, but they’re leaders in the meeting rooms, how about they go about their business in the offseason. Just bring great leadership to this team.”
Jones also expressed excitement about second-year defensive end Donovan Ezeiruak, who showed promise as a rookie, and first-round draft pick Caleb Downs. “I just feel very optimistic that we have the right pieces in place,” Jones declared. “Ultimately, the decision we made was that one player is not worth four or five good ones, and we feel like that’s where we’re going to end up here in a good spot.”
The Cowboys' front office has been busy reshaping the roster through trades and the draft. In addition to the Parsons deal, Dallas made headlines during the draft with aggressive trade talks and the selection of Downs. For more on that, check out Cowboys' Bold Draft Night: Aggressive Trade Talks, Then Caleb Downs.
Looking Ahead
Jones acknowledged that the team didn't feel it was “one player away” last year, but he believes the current mix of veterans and young talent positions the Cowboys to compete for a championship. “We had that opportunity there. Didn’t feel like we were one player away last year, but I certainly feel like we’re putting the pieces together to give us an opportunity to go do what our fans deserve, what we want. Which is to go and try to win the big trophy.”
The Cowboys have also been active in other trade discussions, including a deal with the San Francisco 49ers that brought linebacker Dee Winters to Dallas. For details, read Cowboys and 49ers Strike Deal: Dee Winters Headed to Dallas During Draft.
While some critics have questioned the Parsons trade, Jones remains bullish. The Cowboys' defense—now anchored by Clark, Williams, and a growing core of young players—will be put to the test when the season kicks off. For now, the front office is confident that the long-term vision is paying off.
