What Would Trade for Micah Parsons Look Like for Seahawks?
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Micah Parsons announced via social media that he has requested a trade from the Dallas Cowboys. Credit: Micah Parsons/Instagram [/caption]
You know we have to do it. 31 other teams are probably doing it. The millisecond All-Pro EDGE rusher Micah Parsons publicly declared he wants to be traded from the Dallas Cowboys, everyone got to work seeing how it would be possible for their team to get the sack artist wearing their uniform. There’s low-hanging fruit, and then there’s the fruit that has already fallen off the tree and is just free to pick up by anyone walking by. This is the latter.
Still, let’s do it. There are only a few teams in the NFL who have a defensive-minded head coach on the rise, like Seattle does with Mike Macdonald. If there is a head coach that could maximize the elite talents of Parsons, it’s Macdonald.
First, what would he look like on this defense? Uchenna Nwosu is on the PUP list without a timeline for him getting back to 100 percent. Even when he does return, he will do so with major injury red flags. Boye Mafe has 15 sacks over his last two seasons combined. Basically, Parsons is scheme-proof. He is so versatile and talented, there isn’t a defense in the NFL where he wouldn’t be a fit.
Regardless of who is on your roster, if you have a chance to acquire a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate, you do it. Parsons would instantly change the entire complexion of this defense and immediately demand that this unit be included in any conversation for best defenses in the NFL.
The caveat is, whoever trades for Parsons likely needs to have an extension for him ready to go. He is due for free agency after this season and likely wouldn’t play without an extension done.
What would that trade package look like for the Seahawks? Let’s dive in.
Khalil Mack Deal
Yes, this has a similar feel to when Khalil Mack was jettisoned from the Raiders to the Bears after his age-26 season. Parsons is one year younger, but in a similar situation. However, when you break it down by the numbers, Parsons has been more productive than Mack was before heading to Chicago. In four seasons with the Raiders, Mack racked up 40.5 sacks with an Approximate Value (Pro Football Reference) of 49. In the same timeframe, Parsons has 52.5 sacks and an Approximate Value of 60.
Still, that megadeal for a premier pass rusher is a good template. Chicago sent two first-round picks, a third-round pick, and a sixth-round pick for Mack, a second-round pick, and a conditional fifth-round pick.
That’s likely a starting point for a possible Parsons deal.
Do Seahawks Have the Assets?
The short answer is yes. Seattle has their entire set of future draft picks set, minus the compensatory picks and an extra sixth rounder next year. Dealing for Parsons would definitely cost Seattle its 2026 and 2027 first round picks, to say the least. A 2026 third round pick will also likely be demanded.
Plus, the Seahawks have the cap space to make this happen. They current have almost $35 million in free cap space in 2025, without many major commitments beyond 2025 that would bog down the payroll. In fact, Seattle is inside the top seven for free cap space among NFL teams for the next two seasons. If the Seahawks wanted to trade for, and consequently extend Parsons, they have the cash.
If Seattle wants to avoid just gift-wrapping a boatload of picks to Dallas and saving little for themselves, they could include a player or two in the deal. Boye Mafe, as mentioned, is a rising young impact pass rusher. He is still on his rookie deal and could be very productive in 2025.
Seattle also has a surplus of safeties. Maybe they can tap into that depth to avoid giving away more Day 3 picks in this megadeal.
Trade Proposal and Extension
Acquiring Parsons would be costly. It’s supposed to hurt. Seattle would be acquiring one of the two or three best pass rushers in the entire sport. But in the end, this is about making the Seahawks defense Super Bowl-caliber.
Seahawks receive: DE/OLB Micah Parsons, 2026 5th round pick
Cowboys receive: 2026 1st round pick, 2027 1st round pick, 2026 third round pick, DE Boye Mafe, S Jerrick Reed
The Cleveland Browns signed Myles Garrett to a four-year, $160 million contract with $123 million guaranteed. T.J. Watt and the Steelers just agreed to a three-year deal worth $120 million, and $108 million guaranteed. The Seahawks would need to hand out a similar or better deal for the younger Parsons.
Extension: 4 years, $165 million, $100 million guaranteed
