The Dallas Cowboys made one of the most surprising moves of the offseason by trading star edge rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers.
In return, Dallas received two first-round draft picks along with defensive tackle Kenny Clark, reshaping the Cowboys’ defensive front. Parsons quickly signed a massive four-year, $188 million contract with the Packers, including roughly $136 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
This stunning trade left a significant gap in Dallas’ pass-rushing arsenal, a void that has become apparent during the first two weeks of the 2025 season as the Cowboys have struggled to generate pressure off the edge.
Replacing a player of Parsons’ caliber is no easy feat, and Dallas has been exploring options to strengthen their pass rush. One intriguing possibility is Miami Dolphins edge rusher Jaelan Phillips.
As Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report recently pointed out, Phillips could be on the trade block, with Miami potentially willing to deal him for a 2026 fourth-round pick. The Dolphins have had a shaky start to the season, including a disappointing home loss to the rebuilding New England Patriots, which may push them to leverage assets like Phillips before the trade deadline.
Though injuries have hampered his availability in recent years, Phillips has been productive when healthy, accumulating 22 sacks over his first three seasons. His standout campaign was in 2021 when he recorded 8.5 sacks and 42 tackles, followed by another strong year in 2022 with 61 tackles and seven sacks.
Phillips and Clowney step into the picture
Alongside pursuing Phillips, Dallas recently signed veteran Jadeveon Clowney to help bolster the defensive line. At 32 years old, Clowney is no longer the explosive pass-rusher he once was, but he remains a valuable addition given his experience and leadership.
Last season with the Carolina Panthers, Clowney tallied 5.5 sacks and 46 tackles. Clowney has expressed enthusiasm about joining the Cowboys, praising the team’s secondary and the addition of Kenny Clark inside the defensive front. He acknowledged that Dallas needed help on the edge and is eager to contribute.
The key question surrounding Clowney is how much he can realistically contribute on the field. Dallas insiders suggest he likely won’t be able to handle 30-40 snaps per game anymore, instead being used more situationally.
His veteran presence is expected to benefit the younger defensive players in the room, providing mentorship while allowing the team to manage his workload carefully.
Balancing risk and reward will be crucial for Dallas moving forward. Phillips brings considerable upside if he can stay healthy, but injury concerns linger. Clowney offers reliability and a seasoned voice but comes with limitations in snap count.
If the Cowboys manage to secure Phillips and effectively integrate Clowney, they could mitigate the loss of Parsons and maintain a competitive edge rushing unit. As the trade deadline approaches, all eyes will be on Dallas to see how they navigate these challenges and rebuild their pass rush for the remainder of the season.
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