In a shocking twist that sent NFL Twitter into a frenzy, Micah Parsons has officially requested a trade from the Dallas Cowboys, signaling the beginning of what could be the biggest trades since the Khalil Mack deal in 2018. Parsons, who tweeted “Thank you Dallas,” and confirmed he’s submitted a formal request to Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones, is widely considered one of the most dominant defenders in football—and now he may be on the move.
Enter the Chicago Bears.
Armed with cap space, young talent, and multiple first-round picks, the Bears are among the very few franchises that can make a legitimate run at acquiring the All-Pro linebacker. If general manager Ryan Poles wants to capitalize on the momentum of the Caleb Williams era and supercharge a defense that already boasts stars like Jaylon Johnson and Tremaine Edmunds, now is the time.
And this is the type of offer it would take to blow the Cowboys away.
Proposed Trade:
Chicago Bears Receive:
- EDGE/LB Micah Parsons
Dallas Cowboys Receive:
- 2026 1st-round pick
- 2027 1st-round pick
- 2026 2nd-round pick
- EDGE Montez Sweat
- Conditional 2027 3rd-round pick (upgrades to 2nd if Parsons earns All-Pro honors or signs an extension with Chicago)
This five-piece package is the kind of haul Dallas would need to justify trading away the face of their defense. While Parsons has two years left on his rookie deal, the impasse in contract negotiations and apparent broken trust with the Cowboys front office has made this scenario far more realistic than anyone imagined just weeks ago.
For Dallas, the trade would replenish their draft coffers while providing an immediate defensive replacement in Montez Sweat. Sweat, acquired by the Bears in 2023 and extended through 2027, is coming off a career-high 12.5 sacks and provides steady production off the edge. The Cowboys would retain a playoff-caliber pass rush without having to commit north of $30 million annually to Parsons, which he’s reportedly seeking.
The extra first-rounders—one in 2026 and another in 2027—give Dallas long-term flexibility as they navigate extensions for Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and other cornerstones. The conditional third-round pick sweetens the pot and protects Dallas’ downside if Parsons immediately returns to All-Pro form in Chicago.
Why the Bears Should Pull the Trigger
For Chicago, this is the type of gamble that Super Bowl contenders make.
Micah Parsons is a generational talent—versatile enough to play multiple linebacker roles while wreaking havoc as a pure edge rusher. Adding him to a defense that already features playmakers at all three levels would elevate Dennis Allen’s unit into one of the NFL’s most feared.
More importantly, the Bears have invested a lot of draft capital to build around rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. With a franchise QB on a rookie deal, the time to invest in elite talent is now.
Parsons would immediately become the cornerstone of the Bears defense for the next five to seven years. Paired with Williams, the team would have young leaders on both sides of the ball to drive a true championship window.
Final Thoughts
It’s rare for a player of Micah Parsons’ caliber to become available, and rarer still for a team to have the resources, cap space, and motivation to acquire him. But the Chicago Bears check every box.
This proposed trade may seem steep—but elite players cost elite capital. For Dallas, it’s a way out of a financial corner. For Chicago, it’s a bet on greatness.
And if Parsons dons the navy and orange this fall, Soldier Field may once again echo with the roar of a dominant defense leading the way.
