Adding Micah Parsons to the Detroit Lions defense could turn them into a nearly unstoppable force. But could such a blockbuster move actually take place?
As Detroit gears up for what could be a defining 2025 season, head coach Dan Campbell is pressing forward with both Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn staying put as offensive and defensive coordinators. The expectations are higher than ever for the rising NFC contenders.
The Lions already boast a premier edge presence in Aidan Hutchinson, but many agree he could use a strong pass-rushing partner on the opposite side. While general manager Brad Holmes has downplayed the urgency of addressing that need, it’s clear that the defense would benefit from another disruptive force.
Enter Micah Parsons — a top-tier pass rusher whose contract status with the Dallas Cowboys remains unresolved as the 2025 season approaches. Although the consensus is that a new deal will eventually get done, there’s still no agreement in place, leaving the door slightly ajar for speculation.
Imagining Parsons in Honolulu Blue
Parsons did report to the Cowboys’ mandatory minicamp on June 10 and said he plans to attend training camp in Oxnard, California. However, he was noncommittal about participating in practice without a new contract secured.
“We’ll see,” Parsons told reporters, per ESPN. “It’s up to Jerry [Jones] — he makes the final call. Hopefully, it’s settled by next month.”
While Dallas typically waits until late in the process to sign major extensions, the possibility of Parsons becoming available — however unlikely — is enough to spark some intriguing trade scenarios.
Even Parsons’ father, Terrence, chimed in last December during an appearance on the “Life in the Stands” podcast. When asked where he’d want his son to land if not with Dallas, he named Detroit, Kansas City, and Pittsburgh as ideal fits.
He emphasized the synergy that could happen in Detroit: “Him and Hutchinson together? That’d be like cheating,” he joked, also noting that a pairing with T.J. Watt in Pittsburgh would be just as dangerous. He praised Kansas City for simply being an elite destination.
Would the Lions Pull the Trigger?
Should the Cowboys decide to entertain offers for Parsons, there’d be no shortage of interest across the league. Detroit, with its ascending defense and win-now mindset, could be a perfect destination.
A potential trade proposal might look something like this: the Lions send a second- and fourth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to Dallas in exchange for Parsons. While giving up premium draft capital is always a tough pill to swallow, landing a generational edge rusher might justify the cost.
Pro Football Focus currently ranks Parsons as the second-best pass rusher in the league, making him a dream addition alongside Hutchinson.
Parsons has made it clear that staying in Dallas is his preferred path. Still, if things don’t work out, suiting up for a hungry team like the Lions — already stacked with talent — wouldn’t be a bad alternative. While it’s still a long shot, imagining Parsons in Detroit certainly adds fuel to the offseason rumor mill.
