Sports Then and Now

Change was already evident for the Dallas Cowboys as they prepare to kickoff the 2025 season this week. A new head coach, new coordinators, and many new players acquired via trades, free agency, and the NFL draft creating significant roster turnover were already in place. Then came the biggest change just last week. No more Micah Parsons. In a massive deal finalized August 28, Dallas opted to trade Parsons, a four-time pro bowl defensive end, to the Green Bay Packers. In return, the Cowboys received two first-round draft picks from the Packers as well as veteran defensive tackle Kenny Clark. Gone is a generational talent in Parsons who had been in contract negotiations with Dallas since March. In the end, Parsons, his agent David Mulugheta, and Cowboys’ owner, president, and general manager Jerry Jones could not reach an agreement to keep Parsons and the trade was made. The trade leaves Dallas with a huge void on defense as Parsons is one of the premier pass rushers in the National Football League. Parsons recorded 12 or more sacks in each of his first four seasons with the Cowboys, the only player to do so besides defensive end Reggie White, a pro football hall of famer. White was also acquired by the Packers from Philadelphia in a massive trade back in 1993 when free agency came into the picture.

So what does Dallas do now? The simple answer is to put this move behind them and not let it be a distraction as the season is about to commence. The Cowboys play not only their season opener but the entire league opener this Thursday Sept. 4 in Philadelphia against the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles. Kickoff is set for 8:20 pm EST. Thus, a national television auience will be tuning in. The fact that this trade was done before the season-opener is likely better for the team as to avoid any distractions as to if Parsons will be with them or not.

Leading Dallas this season will be first-time head coach Brian Schottenheimer who was named to the helm as the 10th head coach in Cowboys’ history back on January 24. Shottenheimer replaces Mike McCarthy who was not retained after a five-year stint as head coach of the team. McCarthy went 50-38 during his time in Dallas and was only 1-3 in the playoffs. Schottenheimer has 26 years of NFL coaching experience and has been with the Cowboys since 2022, first as a consultant and for the last two years as the teams’ offensive coordinator.

The coaching staff also has new faces as former Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus is the new defensive coordinator. Eberflus is in his second stint with Dallas after serving as the team’s linebackers coach from 2011-17. Eberflus had additional duties as passing game coordinator from 2016-17. Also named to the staff was Klayton Adams as the team’s new offensive coordinator.