Kirk Herbstreit’s Take on the Cowboys’ Mika Parsons Trade

Kirk Herbstreit has shared an interesting perspective regarding the recent trade involving Cowboys linebacker Mika Parsons. It’s one of those opinions that might seem a bit off the wall, but he believes it has merit.

Herbstreit, an analyst for ESPN College Football and Amazon Prime’s “Thursday Night Football,” actually backed the Cowboys’ decision to trade Parsons to the Packers. In exchange, Dallas received two first-round picks along with defensive tackle Kenny Clark.

During an appearance on ESPN’s “Get Up,” Herbstreit remarked, “If they aim to be serious contenders not just in their division, but across the NFC, then they need to bolster their defense.” He acknowledges the immediate question, “How can you improve by losing a player like Mika Parsons?” He thinks that while the physical loss might be hard to swallow, it’s essential to consider the cultural impact and dynamics he brings to the team.

“The Cowboys aren’t planning to re-sign him, so you can’t just view this as getting rid of a great player,” Herbstreit continued. “It’s more about rebuilding a team culture that prioritizes the collective over the individual. It may sound wild, but I admire the effort to shift focus from individual talent to team cohesion. Still, I don’t see this as a move for the 2025 season.”

The Cowboys are rebounding from a tough 7-10 record last season, and despite the ups and downs, many key players—especially on offense—are coming back. They’ve also brought in Brian Schottenheimer as their new head coach.

However, the offseason hasn’t been without drama, predominantly due to issues surrounding Parsons’ contract. The talented edge rusher, who has accumulated 52.5 sacks in his first four seasons, has been vocal about wanting a new deal, even opting for a holdout.

He expressed a desire to be traded on August 1, and there was a notable moment in the Cowboys’ final preseason game, where he was seen enjoying nachos while resting on a medical table.

The negotiations have led to a somewhat rocky relationship between Parsons and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, marked by press conferences that revealed the tension. At one of these press opportunities after the trade, Jones explained that this decision was part of a “design” to benefit the organization most effectively.

Herbstreit reiterated, “Looking at this from a purely football standpoint, sure, you lose a physically impressive player capable of changing the game. Yet, I perceive this as a coach striving to establish a new framework, especially when your star player is in a tough contract negotiation.”

“Perhaps it’s time to let Parsons explore opportunities elsewhere, allowing Dallas to rebuild from the ground up,” he added.

The Cowboys are set to kick off their season with a matchup against the Eagles on Thursday.