Cowboys Defensive Players React to Micah Parsons’ Trade

FRISCO — Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland didn’t have to finish reading the text message from Micah Parsons to know what it entailed. Intuition, and a slow-building inevitability, paired well with the beginning of Parsons’ text to him and the rest of the defensive linemen.

“Sorry it had to happen like this” Kneeland recalls Parsons’ text reading.

Kneeland stopped there and dropped his phone, knowing it meant Parsons had been traded.

Thursday was a shock to many. Blockbuster trades, like the one the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers struck, have a way of doing that. It immediately became a major story in primetime across the country.

The Reaction of Cowboys Players

It was a surprise to the players in the locker room, too, but it also came with a different reality. Not only had they lost a key player on their defense, but someone they know personally.

“Obviously it’s all love for him,” Kneeland said. “He had to go get paid, and that’s our dog. It’s all love.”

Cowboys rookie pass rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku was also in the group chat message that Parsons sent. He, too, was surprised when he was alerted of the news.

“I was surprised,” Ezeiruaku said, “because we were all anticipating him being here, but things work out the way they work out, so … we’re excited for him and we’re happy that — myself and the defensive line — our brother is getting what he wanted, what he deserved.”

Micah Parsons’ Impact on the Team

Though they were only teammates briefly, Ezeiruaku said Parsons left an impression on him. He said Parsons was one of the first people who reached out to him after the Cowboys selected him in the second round. He said Parsons taught him a lot, even though the two never fully practiced together.

“And we will still talk,” Ezeiruaku said about Parsons. “This is not like a funeral or anything like that … we talked last night, too. We had a phone call and he was like ‘I’m still here for you,’ and I’m like, ‘Me, too.’ We’re going to support each other and like I said to this defensive line, we look forward to watching him do his thing, too.”

The Challenge Ahead for the Cowboys

But now, because Parsons will be “doing his thing” in Green Bay, the Cowboys have to find a way to replicate his production. He just earned a contract worth more than $200 million for a reason, after all. Defensive tackle Kenny Clark, acquired in the deal along with two first round picks, should help in that effort, but others will have to step up.

Ezeiruaku and Kneeland, two young defensive linemen for the Cowboys, acknowledged that challenge.

“I’ve always been hungry,” Ezeiruaku said. “Especially the guys in the room, we’ve always been hungry to go get it and go hit the quarterback or sack the quarterback. At the same time, we understand it’s a big piece of the pie that’s missing or not here anymore and we have to fill that, and I think we’re going to do exactly that.”

Life after Micah: See photos from Cowboys’ first practice after blockbuster trade

Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.

Conclusion

The trade of Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers has sent shockwaves throughout the NFL. The Cowboys will have to adjust to life without their star linebacker, but they are confident that they can still compete at a high level. With young players like Donovan Ezeiruaku and Marshawn Kneeland stepping up, the Cowboys are looking to fill the void left by Parsons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why was Micah Parsons traded to the Green Bay Packers?

A: Micah Parsons was traded to the Green Bay Packers as part of a blockbuster deal that included two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark.

Q: How will the Cowboys replace Micah Parsons?

A: The Cowboys will look to young players like Donovan Ezeiruaku and Marshawn Kneeland to step up and fill the void left by Parsons. They will also rely on defensive tackle Kenny Clark, who was acquired in the trade.

Q: What is the reaction of the Cowboys players to the trade?

A: The Cowboys players are surprised and saddened by the trade, but they are also supportive of Micah Parsons and wish him well. They understand that the trade is a part of the business side of the NFL and are focused on moving forward and competing at a high