On Sept. 4, 2025, ahead of the Eagles–Cowboys season opener at Lincoln Financial Field, reports surfaced that the Philadelphia Eagles made a strong push to acquire Micah Parsons—who was ultimately traded to the Green Bay Packers—and former Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman publicly questioned owner Jerry Jones’ priorities.
Key Takeaways
- ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the Eagles aggressively pursued Micah Parsons during the offseason trade discussions.
- Parsons was ultimately traded from the Dallas Cowboys to the Green Bay Packers.
- Troy Aikman told The Rich Eisen Show he believes Jerry Jones sometimes prioritizes franchise branding over championship urgency.
- The Cowboys cited improving their run defense as a reason for trading Parsons and received DT Kenny Clark in the transaction.
- Dallas also added LB Kenneth Murray Jr. and hired coordinator Matt Eberflus while losing DE DeMarcus Lawrence to free agency.
- The Eagles dominated two meetings last season, scoring 75 combined points and amassing 724 total yards, with more than half coming on the ground.
- Other developments ahead of the opener: backup QB Tanner McKee was ruled out with a thumb injury, and FanDuel sponsored extra SEPTA trains for the game.
Verified Facts
ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that Philadelphia made a “strong push” to acquire Micah Parsons during summer trade talks. Multiple outlets confirmed that the Cowboys ultimately completed a deal sending Parsons to the Green Bay Packers; specifics of Philadelphia’s offer were not detailed publicly in those reports (ESPN).
The Cowboys’ public rationale for the move included bolstering their interior run defense. In return they acquired veteran defensive tackle Kenny Clark, while also bringing in off-ball linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. The team lost edge defender DeMarcus Lawrence in the offseason and promoted Matt Eberflus to coordinate the defense, moving toward an aggressive 4-3 look with more two-high safety coverage.
Former Cowboys quarterback and ESPN analyst Troy Aikman spoke on The Rich Eisen Show about Dallas’ long championship drought and suggested owner Jerry Jones’ focus on the franchise’s national profile may factor into roster decisions. Aikman praised the Eagles’ front office approach in contrast (The Rich Eisen Show).
On the Eagles side, Philadelphia opens the 2025 season Thursday, Sept. 4, at Lincoln Financial Field against Dallas (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC). The team faces weather uncertainty—forecasters warned of possible showers during the first half—and had one active roster player, backup QB Tanner McKee, listed out with a right-thumb injury.
Local transit adjustments were announced: SEPTA will operate additional express trains for the home opener after FanDuel agreed to sponsor 10 extra trains and cover departing fares for fans, following the agency’s broader service cuts amid a budget shortfall.
Context & Impact
If Philadelphia had succeeded in acquiring Parsons, the move would have immediately reshaped division dynamics: Parsons is a disruptive edge rusher whose presence alters blocking schemes and matchup planning. The reported reluctance to trade a player of Parsons’ caliber to a division rival helps explain why a deal with Green Bay was completed instead.
For Dallas, surrendering Parsons signals a philosophical shift under Jones and coordinator Matt Eberflus: the Cowboys appear to be prioritizing size inside and schematic balance over relying on a single elite playmaker. That shift may reduce Dallas’ splash-play ceiling but could address persistent run-defense problems.
For the Eagles, the reported effort to acquire Parsons highlights an aggressive roster-building stance and willingness to explore major upgrades even after winning the Super Bowl. The front office’s approach drew public praise from Aikman and reinforces Philadelphia’s posture as a team actively pursuing top-tier defensive talent.
Official Statements
“There has to be a focus on winning, not just the brand,”
Troy Aikman, The Rich Eisen Show
Explainer
Unconfirmed
- Specific assets Philadelphia offered to Dallas in trade discussions have not been publicly confirmed.
- Reports do not make clear whether Dallas engaged in structured negotiations with the Eagles or only received preliminary inquiries.
- Internal evaluations of Kenny Clark’s expected performance trajectory and how that influenced the Cowboys’ decision are not publicly detailed.
Bottom Line
Reports that the Eagles pressed hard for Micah Parsons underscore how aggressively Philadelphia pursued immediate defensive upgrades this offseason. Dallas’ decision to send Parsons to Green Bay and the public critique from Troy Aikman highlight an ongoing debate about team-building priorities in Dallas. The matchup Friday night offers an early test of how these off-season moves will translate on the field.