On Sept. 3, 2025, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones reaffirmed his support for the team’s decision to trade linebacker Micah Parsons, saying the draft capital gained will both address run defense needs now and create opportunities to add multiple Pro Bowl-caliber players in the coming years.
Key Takeaways
- Jones told Good Morning America the Parsons deal produced draft capital the Cowboys can use to build the roster.
- The team holds four first-round picks across the next two drafts, Jones noted.
- Jones estimated the trade could translate into four, possibly six, roster-level players from that capital.
- He framed draft picks as one of two key NFL currencies, alongside financial resources under the salary cap.
- Jones did not rule out using picks immediately in trade packages for established players.
- Public reaction has been mixed, with many viewing the trade skeptically in the short term.
Verified Facts
Jerry Jones appeared on Good Morning America on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025, and restated that the draft assets received in the Micah Parsons trade give the Cowboys flexibility to address multiple roster needs. Jones emphasized that draft picks are a form of currency the franchise can deploy either by selecting college players or packaging them to acquire veterans.
The Cowboys enter the next two drafts holding four first-round selections, a fact Jones highlighted as a primary reason he supports the transaction. He described the picks as a path to “top Pro Bowl-type players” while also helping to shore up the team’s run defense in the near term.
Jones quantified the potential outcome, saying Parsons’ move could translate into roughly four, and possibly up to six, contributors to the roster. That translation depends on how the team uses the picks—whether to draft immediate starters, select developmental prospects, or trade for proven players.
| Asset | Count / Note |
|---|---|
| First-round picks (next 2 drafts) | 4 |
| Potential roster players from trade | 4–6 (per Jones) |
Context & Impact
The Cowboys moved a high-profile defensive star in a transaction that immediately provoked debate among fans and analysts. Short-term criticism focuses on losing a playmaker who was central to Dallas’s defense; Jones counters that the team’s depth and future talent acquisition are improved.
How the picks are used will determine whether the trade is judged a success. Teams that convert multiple high picks into starting-caliber players can offset the loss of a single elite performer, but that requires accurate scouting, smart draft choices, and sometimes additional trades.
Possible impacts:
- Roster construction: Additional early picks can accelerate youth infusion along the defensive front or other weak spots.
- Cap management: Turning a large contract into draft capital can free salary-cap space for complementary signings.
- Fan perception: Early-season results and the quality of prospects/players acquired will shape public opinion.
Official Statements
“Micah enabled us to have four, possibly as many as six players, for the future. That’s a good trade when you need numbers—I’ll take the numbers every time.”
Jerry Jones, Dallas Cowboys owner (Good Morning America, Sept. 3, 2025)
Unconfirmed
- Whether those draft picks will become “top Pro Bowl-type players” remains unproven until selections develop on the field.
- The estimate of producing up to six contributors from the trade is Jones’s projection, not a guaranteed outcome.
- Any immediate trade using the picks to acquire proven players has not been announced.
Bottom Line
Jones is doubling down on a long-term, asset-driven rationale for the Parsons trade: convert a high-cost star into multiple roster opportunities. The verdict will depend on how Dallas deploys the picks and how quickly new or acquired players contribute; results may take multiple seasons to fully evaluate.