Could the Cowboys Make a Shocking Move for Myles Garrett?

The Dallas Cowboys are at a crossroads this offseason, with major roster decisions looming and financial constraints tightening. Despite missing the playoffs and undergoing a head coaching change, the Cowboys still boast top-tier talent—but they also have significant money tied up in just a few players.

Now, one of their biggest stars, Micah Parsons, is approaching a massive contract extension, while a fellow elite pass rusher, Myles Garrett, has emerged as a potential trade target. Could the Cowboys make an unexpected move to shake up their defense?

The Parsons-Garrett Trade Hypothetical

According to ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, a Parsons-for-Garrett swap might not be entirely out of the question if Dallas believes securing a long-term deal with Parsons will be too expensive.

“I’m not sure there’s a lot of logic in trading the 25-year-old Parsons for a 29-year-old Garrett,” Barnwell wrote. “But Dallas sports fans are sadly all too aware that 25-year-old franchise players can unexpectedly be traded for older veterans these days.”

While Barnwell notes that the Cowboys aren’t a likely landing spot for Garrett, owner Jerry Jones has never shied away from blockbuster moves. If he believes Parsons’ contract demands could cripple Dallas’ long-term flexibility, a deal involving Garrett might not be completely off the table.

Does the Move Make Sense for Dallas?

On paper, swapping Parsons for Garrett seems like a lateral move at best, given that:

• Parsons is younger (25) and still improving, while Garrett is 29 and already at his peak.
• Garrett has a more manageable contract ($57 million over two years), whereas Parsons is projected to command a deal worth $180 million over five years.
• Both are perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidates, with Garrett narrowly edging Parsons for the 2023 award.

The only real advantage of such a trade would be financial flexibility, allowing Dallas to avoid a record-setting Parsons extension while still maintaining an elite pass rusher.

Will Jerry Jones Take the Gamble?

While the idea of Parsons-for-Garrett sounds shocking, it’s unlikely Dallas would seriously entertain it—unless contract talks with Parsons completely fall apart. Still, as Barnwell pointed out, when it comes to big-name moves, Jerry Jones is always a wild card.

For now, Parsons remains the future of the Cowboys’ defense—but in an offseason full of surprises, anything is possible.