Some would say the Dallas Cowboys have hit rock bottom.
The team is 3-7 and riding a five-game losing streak, quarterback Dak Prescott is out for the season, and head coach Mike McCarthy is just counting down the days until he’s unemployed.
It’s clear owner Jerry Jones has his work cut out for him in the offseason in possibly searching for a new head coach while also retooling the roster to try and make another playoff run in 2025.
And while there’s quite a few tough decisions coming Jones’ way, Fox Sports analyst Terry Bradshaw believes the answer to one of those decisions is actually quite simple.
“My answer on the Dallas problems — they need more talent,” Bradshaw stated on “Fox NFL Sunday.” “So I would take (Micah) Parsons, their great outside rusher — I don't know how you guys feel about this — but I wouldn't sign him because he's on his fourth year, it'd be his fifth year (next season). Trade him and get an extra No. 1 (draft pick).”
Bradshaw’s idea makes sense logistically, but it’s likely one Cowboys fans don’t want to hear.
Many consider Parsons to be the heart-and-soul of the Dallas defense, and he’s one of the premier edge-rushers in the NFL. Since his rookie year in 2021, Parsons has the fourth-most sacks (43.5) in the league, behind only T.J Watt (54.5), Myles Garrett (53) and Nick Bosa (51.5).
He’s also led the team in pressures, hurries and sacks in each of his first three seasons — he’s averaged 86.6, 56.3 and 13.5, respectively, per year — and when he’s on his “A” game, the Cowboys defense usually is too.
But keeping Parsons comes at a cost.
The five highest-paid pass-rushers all make $25M per year, and Parsons likely wants to be the highest-paid player at his position, which will cost Dallas at least the same $34M per year Bosa makes, if not more.
Trading Parsons and acquiring an additional first-round pick would not only save the Cowboys a boatload of money, but it would also allow them to address one of several positions of need like running back, defensive line and linebacker.
