The Chicago Bears used a pick-heavy draft in 2025 and a veritable boatload of free agency dollars to reconstruct the offensive line, add weight to the middle of the defensive front and acquire a couple more high-level pass-catchers for quarterback Caleb Williams.
But the one priority player type the franchise hasn’t brought in this offseason is a true edge rusher, and it remains a position of considerable need for the Bears as they head into their first season under new head coach Ben Johnson.
Elite pass rushers are hard to find, and when they do come available it is typically either by way of a huge cost in free agency or a massive price via the trade market. In the case of Dallas Cowboys four-time Pro Bowler Micah Parsons, it’s going to be both.
Parsons has demanded a trade out of Dallas as he stands on the cusp of his fifth NFL season, after which he will become a free agent. The Cowboys have been reticent to deal the generational talent over the past several weeks, but changed their tune on Thursday, August 28, based on a report from Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Several teams have spoken to the Dallas Cowboys about a potential Micah Parsons’ trade and for the first time the Cowboys appear willing to at least listen, sources tell Todd Archer, Dan Graziano and me,” Schefter wrote on X.
The Cowboys would like to resolve the situation, one way or another, in the coming days with their season opener next Thursday against the Philadelphia Eagles,” Schefter continued. The Cowboys hold their first full practice in preparation for the Eagles on Friday.
Bears Can Make Competitive Pitch to Cowboys for Parsons, Headlined by 2 First-Rounders and 2 Mid-Round Picks
GettyDallas Cowboys outside linebacker Micah Parsons.
Chicago has nine draft picks in 2026 as of Thursday, and because of that is in position to make a strong offer to the Cowboys for Parsons.
A deal comprised of first-rounders in 2026 and 2027, along with a fourth-rounder in 2026 that Chicago acquired from the New England Patriots and a third-round selection in 2027 should fall in the high-end of Parsons’ value range.
That would hurt the Bears‘ ability to add elite players over the next couple of draft classes, but it would fall far short of robbing them of all of that potential. Chicago would still own a second-rounder, third-rounder and two fourth-rounders in 2026, as well as a second-round pick and fourth-round selection in 2027.
Meanwhile, in return for all that draft value, the Bears would bring in a 26-year-old generational talent who has finished top three in Defensive Player of the Year voting in three of his first four professional seasons.
Parsons has tallied 112 QB hits, 63 tackles for loss and 52.5 sacks across 63 career games played, per Pro Football Reference. He has also tallied nine pass breakups and forced nine fumbles.
Multiple Bears Rivals Could Make Strong Offers for Micah Parsons, Including Packers and Lions
GettyDallas Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons.
Paying Parsons is liable to cost any team more than $40 million annually.
The highest-paid pass rusher in the NFL is T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers at $41 million annually over a three-year contract. Meanwhile, Myles Garrett also signed an extension earlier this offseason for four years and $160 million total ($40 million per season) with the Cleveland Browns.
Despite the high price, several teams are likely make strong offers for Parsons. Among them could be the aforementioned Browns, as well as two of the Bears’ NFC North division rivals: the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions.
Bears Trade Pitch Lands Micah Parsons, as Cowboys Open to Deal