Cowboys CEO Stephen Jones says Micah Parsons trade is 'in our rearview mirror' after Packers debut
Parsons recorded a sack in Green Bay's 27-13 season-opening win over Detroit as Cowboys leadership downplays post-trade fallout
Micah Parsons made an immediate impact in his Green Bay Packers debut, recording a sack and helping limit the Detroit Lions in a 27-13 season-opening win, but Dallas Cowboys CEO Stephen Jones said discussion of the trade that sent Parsons to Green Bay is "in our rearview mirror."
Parsons chased down Lions quarterback Jared Goff on a play outside the pocket for his first sack with the Packers, a sign of the pass-rush presence Green Bay expected when it acquired the former Cowboys linebacker. The contest at Lambeau Field also featured a stout Packers run defense that held Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery to a combined 44 rushing yards.
Stephen Jones, the Cowboys' chief executive and executive vice president, addressed questions about the Parsons trade during an appearance on Dallas sports radio station 103.5 The Fan after Fox Sports reporter Jay Glazer said the Philadelphia Eagles had made a stronger trade offer for Parsons. Jones dismissed that narrative and shifted focus to the Cowboys' roster and upcoming games.
"That’s all in our rearview mirror," Jones said, via The Athletic. "All we’re worried about is our future. We’re worried about Kenny Clark and what the future holds for the Dallas Cowboys. What happened in the past is in the past. We need to win a football game."
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer acknowledged Parsons' performance in Green Bay, saying, "I saw him running around out there. Looked like he was having fun. That’s good," according to The Athletic. Parsons called his Lambeau Field debut "one of one" and said the experience gave him "chills."
Although Parsons was credited with one tackle and the sack, his presence helped free teammates on the Packers’ defensive front. Rashan Gary finished with seven tackles and 1.5 sacks. The Packers also limited the Lions' receiving production; while Gibbs caught 10 passes, he totaled just 31 yards.
By contrast, the Cowboys struggled to stop the run in Week 1, a point Dallas ownership emphasized when discussing the trade. The Eagles rushed for 158 yards in their opener, with quarterback Jalen Hurts running 14 times for 62 yards and two scores. Saquon Barkley added 60 yards on 18 carries with a touchdown.
Jones tied the discussion about Parsons to the Cowboys' immediate priorities, pointing to roster players such as defensive lineman Kenny Clark as the organization looks to address issues that surfaced in its opener. The Cowboys seek their first win of the season in Sunday’s game against the New York Giants, who struggled against the Washington Commanders in Week 1.
The Parsons trade and its aftermath have drawn attention because it involved a high-profile defensive player moving between division opponents. Jones' remarks sought to tamp down lingering questions while underscoring that the Cowboys' focus remains on correcting deficiencies from their loss and preparing for upcoming opponents.
Parsons' debut offered Green Bay an early boost in a matchup against last season's top-scoring offense, and the Packers' defense showed signs of cohesion in limiting the Lions' ground game and applying pressure. Cowboys officials, meanwhile, emphasized internal priorities and the need to translate roster discussions into on-field results as the season progresses.