It was all smiles for Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons after their much-anticipated matchup on Sunday ended in a 40-40 tie.
Prescott and Parsons shared a wholesome moment on the field after the final whistle, as they expressed their appreciation for each other. They played together for three seasons in Dallas before Parsons was traded to the Packers last month.
The 26-year-old Parsons, who made his first return to AT&T Stadium, demanded to be traded after Cowboys owner Jerry Jones refused to give him the contract extension he wanted.
After the game, the 82-year-old Jones was asked why he did not want to give Parsons what he wanted but paid Prescott a big sum in 2024. The outspoken tycoon was very clear with his response.
“It's very simple: Dak was indispensable in my mind. Micah wasn't. It's just numbers. It's that easy. That's not personal at all,” said Jones, as quoted by Cowboys reporter Bobby Belt.
Last year, Jones agreed to give the 32-year-old Prescott a four-year contract extension worth $240 million. At $60 million per annum, it's the highest average annual value in NFL history.
Jones has a history of trading star players, most notably running back Herschel Walker in 1989 and wide receiver Amari Cooper in 2022. He also parted ways with coach Jimmy Johnson in 1994, just months after steering the Cowboys to back-to-back titles.
Parsons made it clear that he wanted to stay in Dallas. But Jones' hard-balling prompted him to find a better situation. After the trade to the Packers, he signed a four-year deal extension worth $240 million.
He played well against his former team, logging three total tackles, three quarterback hits, and a critical sack against Prescott in overtime.
