Skip to main content
SI

Report: Jets Turned Down Trade Offer For Micah Parsons From Cowboys This Offseason

Parsons could be playing in the Big Apple right now.
Micah Parsons could have been a New York Jet.
Micah Parsons could have been a New York Jet. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Jets sent defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to the Cowboys at this past week's NFL trade deadline in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick, a '27 second-round pick, and DT Mazi Smith. A decent haul, all things considered.

Apparently, however, New York had an opportunity to receive All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons from Dallas in return for Williams in a similar deal this past summer—but declined.

As reported by Fox Sports' Jay Glazer on Sunday morning, the Cowboys—amid their training camp contract debacle with Parsons—tried to trade Williams from the Jets, and actually offered their then-superstar defender in return.

"The Jets didn't wanna do it then," Glazer explained. "But as the Tuesday trade deadline kind of started coming about, the Cowboys knew [they could get him], and whatever it took, they wanted to dive in and they are over the moon to get Quinnen Williams."

Seems like the Jets dropped the ball on this one.

As we now know, Parsons was instead sent to the Packers in late August before signing a record-breaking $188 million extension, and Dallas received multiple first-round picks and DT Kenny Clark in return.

New York, meanwhile, is just 1–7 to begin the 2025 season and went full fire-sale mode at the deadline, dealing Williams to Dallas and fellow All-Pro Sauce Gardner to the Colts.

What could have been, Jets fans. What could have been.


More NFL on Sports Illustrated

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Published | Modified
 Mike Kadlick
MICHAEL KADLICK

Mike Kadlick is a senior NFL news writer for Sports Illustrated. He’s also a New England Patriots reporter for CLNS Media, where he hosts the Patriots Daily podcast and covers the beat from Gillette Stadium. Before joining SI, Kadlick worked at WEEI sports radio in Boston. He holds a master’s degree in public relations from Boston University. When Kadlick’s not covering football, he can be found running, spending time with his wife and dog, and enjoying all things pizza.