In a move that sent shockwaves through the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys traded star linebacker Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers for defensive tackle Kenny Clark and a pair of first-round draft picks. Now, former Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy is opening up about the blockbuster deal for the first time, revealing his surprise and offering insights into how both players will thrive in their new homes.
McCarthy, who coached Parsons in Dallas and Clark during his long tenure in Green Bay, admitted he never saw the trade coming. In the weeks before the swap, rumors swirled that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Parsons were on the verge of hammering out a long-term extension. “A deal never materialized,” McCarthy shared in an exclusive interview with David Moore for “D Magazine,” marking his most in-depth comments since parting ways with the Cowboys’ coaching staff.
Reflecting on the trade from Dallas’ side, McCarthy praised the Cowboys’ forward-thinking approach. “They’re a young football team, and this gives them a lot of draft capital moving forward,” he explained. Turning his attention to Clark, McCarthy didn’t hold back his admiration for the veteran lineman, whom he coached from Day 1 in Green Bay. “Kenny Clark—I’m not trying to compare him to Micah because he plays a different position, and I’m not saying he’s a better person—but he’s a stud of a man. From Day 1, when we had him in Green Bay, he was a top-notch person. I think the world of him.”
McCarthy believes Clark is an ideal addition to the Cowboys’ locker room. “That’s a really good locker room in Dallas, and Kenny is a really good fit. That and two No. 1 picks… I know there’s a long-term component that Dallas probably doesn’t want to talk about with this trade, but I think they should feel good about that.”
As for Parsons, McCarthy sees nothing but upside in his move to Green Bay—a franchise he knows intimately after leading them to a Super Bowl victory in 2011. “He goes to a young team and another great organization,” McCarthy said. “He can reach all of the goals he wants to reach as a player and a teammate. He’s in a great spot.”
The timing of McCarthy’s remarks couldn’t be more poignant. This Sunday night, the Cowboys will host the Packers at AT&T Stadium, marking the first time they’ll face off against Parsons since the trade. Adding intrigue to the matchup, Dallas has named Clark a captain for the week, while opting not to honor their former first-round pick with any pre-game recognition. It’s a subtle but telling nod to the new era in Big D, as both teams look to turn the page on this seismic shift.
As the dust settles on one of the league’s most unexpected trades, McCarthy’s balanced perspective highlights the potential wins for both sides. For Cowboys fans, it’s a reminder that rebuilding often comes with tough goodbyes—and promising hellos.