Dak Prescott has spoken publicly for the first time about the Dallas Cowboys' blockbuster trade that sent Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers, and the quarterback admitted he was relieved the team could move forward without the lingering contract drama.
In an interview with reporters this past weekend, Prescott answered questions regarding Parsons' move to Green Bay last week that ended months of stalled negotiations between the linebacker and the Cowboys' ownership over a new contract.
"Just with the way the negotiations went down, obviously to some extent, I mean hell, y'all were asking me questions, it seemed like it got personal on their end," Prescott said, according to ESPN.
The Cowboys sent Parsons to the Packers in exchange for defensive tackle Kenny Clark and first-round picks in 2026 and 2027, ending months of contract tension between the star linebacker and the franchise. The tense standoff had stretched into training camp, with team owner Jerry Jones publicly criticizing Parsons in the middle of negotiations.
The deal closed the book on Parsons' four-season tenure in Dallas. While acknowledging the loss of the defensive playmaker, Prescott expressed optimism about what Dallas received in return for the trade.
"I'm not going to say we're better. We've got to go out there and prove it. We had to prove it even if he was on this team, so I'm not going to say that by any means," Prescott said. "But I know what adding a guy like Kenny Clark, adding a true leader, a real man that's going to only elevate this team, who's been a Pro Bowl player and is excited about being here [means]."
The Cowboys open their season Thursday night against the Philadelphia Eagles, and Prescott said the locker room isn't dwelling on Parsons' departure.
"I know our focus right now is Philly. I think that's everybody's focus in that locker room. I don't think anybody's hung up on [the Parsons trade]," he said. "As I've said, there's enough news and enough media about it. I think as much as anything it's good that a solution happened. Obviously, Micah got paid. He got paid very well and great for him and his family. And we'll see him here in about a month."
He added, "I know our focus right now is Philly. I think that's everybody's focus in that locker room. I don't think anybody's hung up on [the Parsons trade]. As I've said, there's enough news and enough media about it. I think as much as anything it's good that a solution happened. Obviously, Micah got paid. He got paid very well and great for him and his family. And we'll see him here in about a month."