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The Dallas Cowboys included a "poison pill" clause in their trade of Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers, preventing the star pass rusher from joining the Philadelphia Eagles or any NFC East team until after the 2026 season. According to ESPN, if the Packers trade Parsons to an NFC East team before the end of 2026, they would owe Dallas a first-round pick in 2028.
This condition was added to ensure Parsons, who grew up near Philadelphia, does not play for the Eagles, a team that had shown strong interest in acquiring him. In August, the Cowboys traded Parsons to the Packers for two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. The "poison pill" clause also applies to Clark, preventing a trade to an NFC North team without similar penalties.
The Packers have little incentive to trade Parsons, as he has been a key player for their defense, recording 6.5 sacks in eight games this season. They signed him to a record-breaking four-year, $188 million contract, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
The use of "poison pill" conditions is not new in the NFL. A similar clause was used in 2008 when the Packers traded Brett Favre to the New York Jets to prevent him from joining the Minnesota Vikings.
As the Packers and Eagles face off tonight, Parsons will play against the team he cannot join until at least 2027.