NFL writer suggests AFC doormat as dark horse for Cowboys’ Micah Parsons

The Dallas Cowboys and Micah Parsons appear to be heading for a split.

On Friday afternoon, the All-Pro edge rusher officially requested a trade after contract talks with the team broke down. With no extension in sight and little movement from owner Jerry Jones, the writing may be on the wall.

Now, the NFL world turns its attention to what comes next.

Parsons is just 26 years old and entering his prime — making him one of the most sought-after defensive players in the league. Nearly every team would love to add a player of his caliber. But so far, Jones hasn’t shown much urgency to keep him in Dallas, sticking to a firm financial stance despite Parsons’ obvious value.

NFL.com’s lead draft writer Eric Edholm recently explored some potential landing spots, and one team that raised eyebrows: the Cleveland Browns.

“It would make sense that any team trying to manifest a Parsons trade would have a lot of assets to dangle,” Edholm wrote. “Enter the Browns. Following the draft day trade involving Travis Hunter, the Browns own Jacksonville’s 2026 first-rounder and their own first. They have enough ammunition to make a major offer if they so choose. It also doesn’t hurt the Browns’ chances that they’re in the AFC and don’t play against the Cowboys often.”

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The Cowboys' failure to lock in Parsons long-term has only added fuel to the speculation. 

On the flip side, Cleveland is in a rare position. They have the draft capital to make a serious run at a generational talent — if they’re willing to stomach the financial strain.

Of course, money is the tricky part.

“The Browns’ salary cap situation isn’t ideal, still weighed down by Deshaun Watson’s contract and committed to paying Myles Garrett more than $123 million guaranteed over the next few years,” Edholm noted. “That would be a lot to pay two defenders, with Parsons likely seeking a deal that will reset the market at his position.”

Still, the thought of pairing Parsons with Garrett is enough to make any defensive coordinator salivate.

“For a team possibly turning to a young QB this year, or someone else next year, there’s justification for loading up on defense,” Edholm continued. “A Parsons-Garrett pass-rush duo would also be borderline unfair — potentially one of the best pairings ever — and we know Garrett has been publicly supportive of Parsons' pursuit for a new contract. It would be a fascinating, if unlikely, mode of rebuilding the Browns.”

General manager Andrew Berry has the picks. He has the leverage and with the Browns holding both their own and Jacksonville’s first-rounders in 2026, there’s a real chance they’ll be holding two top-10 selections.

If Berry wants to take a swing — a real swing — this might be it.

Landing Parsons wouldn’t fix everything in Cleveland, especially with questions still looming at quarterback. But it would give the Browns a generational pass-rush duo, shore up their identity on defense, and buy time while they figure out the future under center.