The Herd with Colin Cowherd: "What's Wright - Nick Wright Reacts to Cowboys TRADING Micah Parsons to Packers | NFL"

August 29, 2025

Episode Overview

This special emergency episode features Nick Wright’s immediate and in-depth reaction to the stunning trade of Micah Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys to the Green Bay Packers. Wright dissects the fallout for both franchises, the seismic implications for player contracts, and lays bare his candid thoughts on the Cowboys’ missteps and the Packers’ bold ambitions. He probes the logic behind Dallas’ decision-making, the tremendous stakes for Green Bay and quarterback Jordan Love, and the broader lessons for the NFL market.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cowboys’ Perspective: How We Got Here

(Start – 13:30)

• Unthinkable Becomes Reality:
  The idea of trading Parsons – “a generational pass rusher” – would have been “unfathomable” a year ago, “incomprehensible” six months back, but became possible after Parsons demanded a trade and things escalated.

  • “A generational pass rusher. In my opinion, the best young defensive player in the league and maybe just the best defensive player in the league is traded away in a seismic move.” (02:16, Nick Wright)

• Blame on the Cowboys’ Front Office:

  • Nick Wright is clear: the Cowboys sowed these seeds by failing to sign Parsons early.
    • “The right answer here is the moment you have the ability to sign Micah Parsons, which was a year and a half ago you signed Micah Parsons... That’s what they could have done just 18 months ago.” (03:59, Nick Wright)
  • He points to the Eagles as the blueprint for acting swiftly.

• The No-Win Scenario:
  Because they delayed, the market ballooned. Wright argues that either paying the now Packers' record deal ($47M/year) or trading Parsons would have sparked media and fan outrage.

  • “Jerry and the Cowboys had put themselves in a position where no matter what they do, they get killed.” (05:39, Nick Wright)

• Questioning the Roster Construction Logic:
  Wright ponders if Dallas made the right call by swapping a superstar for picks, cap room, and a quality player.

  • “If the idea is the Cowboys are going to have to be an offense-led team with Dak and CD and then build up a young cheap defense... does getting two first round picks, Kenny Clark, and removing what was going to be 40 plus million from your books—is that a legitimate approach? I think it is.” (07:08, Nick Wright)
  • He admits he would have prioritized Parsons if forced to choose: “Micah is the best player on the team. Micah is the only player on the team that is on a clear cut, undoubted Hall of Fame trajectory and you traded him away.” (09:38, Nick Wright)

• Trading Within the Conference:
  Debunking the taboo, Wright says if you believe you won the deal, you’d prefer to “hurt” an NFC opponent.

  • “If you think you are winning the trade, you actually would rather the other side of the trade be someone you’re competing with.” (11:34, Nick Wright)

2. Packers’ Perspective: All-In on Contention

(17:16 – 29:55)

• Aggressiveness & Justification:
  Wright lauds Green Bay’s rare boldness, trading picks and paying a massive extension for Parsons.

  • “This is as aggressive of a move as a team can make and it’s the most expensive way to acquire a player by a mile.” (18:26, Nick Wright)

• Impact of Parsons:
  Having a “game-wrecking presence up front changes your life in the NFL,” he says, rattling off the histories of Chris Jones, Aaron Donald, and Von Miller.

  • “There aren’t that many of them. There are none his age with his level of production.” (18:49, Nick Wright)
  • “Micah is one of the only players that isn’t a quarterback that legitimately just by himself changes your life.” (17:31, Nick Wright)

• Why Now—Jordan Love Is the Lynchpin:
  The entire move is a testament to Green Bay’s faith in Love.

  • “Who is now the biggest X factor in the NFL? The answer to that question is Jordan Love.” (20:09, Nick Wright)
  • “You don’t make this move if you don’t think, oh yeah, we have a quarterback good enough to win four straight rounds...” (22:57, Nick Wright)

• Team Building Ramifications:

  • The Packers’ core is set: Love and Parsons are “your stars” and the big spending is done for a while.

• Shifting Playoff Calculus:
  Wright literally upgrades the Packers’ prospects on-air:

  • “I had the Packers out of the playoffs before the trade. I have them in the playoffs now.” (23:52, Nick Wright)
  • “If I had the Packers as a really good playoff team but not quite in the Super Bowl, this move to me you can be like, no, they’re in the Super Bowl.” (24:27, Nick Wright)

• NFL Market Lessons & Rarity:
  These kinds of trades for a top defensive player in their prime are rare; usually it’s a player beyond his peak or acquired in the draft.

  • “You typically only get guys like this when they’re past their prime or because you drafted them.” (26:45, Nick Wright)

3. Reflections & Big-Picture Thoughts

(27:25 – 29:55)

• Why Didn’t Anyone Else Beat the Packers’ Offer?
  Wright is surprised, suspecting timing and the inclusion of Kenny Clark made the difference.

  • “Why didn’t anyone else trump this deal? ...I’m a little surprised that this was the absolute best the Cowboys could do.” (27:25, Nick Wright)

• Cowboys’ Process vs. Result:

  • The “process obviously was disastrous. The end result? I don’t think is.”
  • He reiterates that “if Jerry signed Micah to this exact deal that Green Bay is being lauded for, he would have been pilloried for.” (29:07, Nick Wright)

• Micah’s Upgrade:
  Parsons moves from “the franchise with the most kind of non-football stuff going on” (Dallas) to one with the least (Green Bay).

• Fan Reaction:
  Wright commiserates with Dallas fans who, within a year, have seen both Luka Dončić and Micah Parsons traded and says, “they have to be beside themselves.” (26:56, Nick Wright)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The moment you have the ability to sign Micah Parsons, which was a year and a half ago, you signed Micah Parsons... That’s on Jerry. That’s a mistake.” (03:59, Nick Wright)
• “If I’m being fair, if I’m being honest, had they given Micah the deal the Packers just gave him, they would be getting killed for it.” (05:55, Nick Wright)
• “Micah is the best player on the team. Micah is the only player on the team that is on a clear cut, undoubted Hall of Fame trajectory and you traded him away.” (09:38, Nick Wright)
• “If you like the trade, if you think you are winning the trade, you actually would rather the other side of the trade be someone you’re competing with.” (11:34, Nick Wright)
• “There aren’t that many of them. There are none his age with his level of production.” (18:49, Nick Wright)
• “Who is now the biggest X factor in the NFL? The answer to that question is Jordan Love.” (20:09, Nick Wright)
• “Packers now just clearly, clearly believe we can just go win the Super Bowl. And maybe they can. They won’t be my pick but... this isn’t a Super Bowl or bust trade this season only because Micah probably in Green Bay for the next decade...” (29:17, Nick Wright)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Cowboys Situation & Blame: 02:16–11:34
• Roster Construction Debate for Dallas: 07:08–10:58
• Trading Within the Conference Logic: 11:34–13:30
• Why Parsons Changes Everything for Green Bay: 17:16–20:09
• All Eyes on Jordan Love: 20:09–22:57
• Nick Upgrades Packers’ Playoff Outlook: 23:52–24:27
• Market Rarity & Precedent: 26:45–27:25
• On Timing and the Market for Parsons: 27:25–29:07

Episode Tone & Final Thoughts

Nick Wright’s tone is sharp, resigned, and analytic, with frequent expressions of empathy for Cowboys fans and cautious optimism for Packers fans. He blends big-picture NFL economics with practical football logic, balancing criticism for Dallas’ process with understanding for their endgame and admiration for Green Bay’s all-in aggression.

Final Reflection
Wright closes with a bittersweet note: “I’m happy for Micah that he got this money and that he stays with a blue chip franchise... Packer fans will effing love him.” (29:38, Nick Wright)