Raiders listed as top landing spot for disgruntled Micah Parsons ahead of Week 1

Well, the NFL offseason is almost over, but the drama could be just beginning.

A pair of high-profile players requested trades on Friday: Cowboys edge-rusher Micah Parsons and Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin. McLaurin has been one of the more underrated receivers in the league during his career, and Parsons is among the best pass-rushers in the league. 

Parsons' request came as the team and the defender have been unable to agree on a contract extension. It's believed that Parsons wants to be compensated like the top edge-rushers in the league, and the Cowboys are apparently unwilling to meet that price. 

Currently, T.J. Watt is the highest-paid annual earner at the position with a salary of $41 million. Watt and Myles Garrett are the only edge-rushers making at least $40 million while three players make over $30 million. 

Now, it appears like the relationship is too far gone to repair, and the team could look to cash in on Parsons before Week 1. Garrett Podell of CBS Sports listed the Raiders as one of the most likely landing spots for the star defender. 

Regarding Parsons and the Raiders, Podell offered the following: 

Pairing Parsons with Maxx Crosby, the player he is tied with for more quarterback pressures in the NFL since 2021, would give Las Vegas the most fearsome pass rush duo in the NFL. The Raiders are also familiar with the price necessary to acquire a talent like Parsons given they traded away a similar one in Khalil Mack back in 2018. 

As Podell mentioned, the Raiders already have Maxx Crosby, so adding Parsons would give the team arguably the most fearsome pass-rush duo in the league. 

In 2024, Parsons played in 13 games for the Cowboys and collected 43 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks. Pro Football Focus gave the edge-rusher an elite 90.0 grade, which ranked 6th among 211 qualified edge-rushers. 

This is the type of move the Raiders may be willing to make after adding quality talent this offseason. The team brought in respected veteran coach Pete Carroll, and added elite running back Ashton Jeanty in the draft, and traded for reliable quarterback Geno Smith. 

After several seasons of being among the AFC's bottom-feeders, this is the type of move that could catapult the Raiders into relevancy for the next several years. Additionally, Over the Cap projects the Raiders to have the most cap space in the league next offseason, so the team should be able to extend Parsons. 

The betting market believes Parsons to the Raiders is a real possibility as well. Currently, the Raiders have the best odds in the league, at +500, to trade for Parsons.