Micah Parsons, once the heart and soul of the Dallas Cowboys’ defense, is set for an emotional and highly anticipated return to AT&T Stadium this Sunday, September 28, 2025. But this time, he’ll be wearing green and gold, suiting up for the Green Bay Packers in a Week 4 clash that has the entire NFL world buzzing. For Parsons, who spent four impactful seasons in Dallas, the prospect of lining up across from his former team—and especially his friend and mentor, quarterback Dak Prescott—is both thrilling and bittersweet.
"It’s going to be painful," Parsons admitted to The Associated Press earlier this week. "That’s my guy. He was always like a good mentor for me. But you know how it is. He always told me if I ever faced him that it’ll be a great matchup, so I’m excited to see what Sunday brings itself." That mixture of respect and competitive fire is classic Parsons, a player whose relentless drive has made him one of the league’s most feared pass rushers.
The journey to this moment has been anything but straightforward. Parsons’ exit from Dallas was the result of a contract standoff that turned public and, at times, tense. Despite his meteoric rise—256 tackles, 112 quarterback hits, and 52.5 sacks over four years, along with two All-Pro selections and four Pro Bowl appearances—negotiations between Parsons and the Cowboys broke down during a tumultuous preseason. Owner Jerry Jones ultimately pulled the trigger on a blockbuster deal, sending Parsons to Green Bay in exchange for defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first-round picks.
"Not at all. It was nothing personal. I told you, I like Micah. There was no issue regarding feelings relative to the negotiation. Certainly not on my part. It was just par for the course," Jones told reporters, emphasizing that the trade was a business decision. "The facts are, the negotiation was ongoing. People made a lot of that we weren’t talking. I had on the table the best deal I could do—period. I wanted to see, by chumming it up out there [on the trade market], what Micah might be worth in trade value. That was the plan all the way through the negotiation."
Parsons, for his part, says he’s made peace with the move. "I accepted my fate weeks ago when the trade happened," he said. "So, for me, it’s just all about playing another game and just doing what I do best, and that’s just be a disruptive football player. I think the media and the fans are trying to blow it up to be such a big thing. But I just look at it as just another game at AT&T."
Yet, no one in Dallas—or around the league—can deny that this is no ordinary game. The Cowboys, now 1-2, have struggled mightily in Parsons’ absence, surrendering the third-most yards per game (397.7), the most passing yards (288), and the sixth-highest points (30.7) in the NFL. Their defense, once anchored by Parsons’ dynamic presence, has already allowed 92 points across just three games. The contrast is stark: while Dallas has stumbled, Parsons has made an immediate impact in Green Bay, despite missing all of training camp and joining the team just a week before the season opener.
In his Packers debut, Parsons helped spark a 27-13 victory over the defending NFC North champion Detroit Lions, followed by a 27-18 win over the Washington Commanders. The only blemish so far? A narrow 13-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 3. Through three games, Parsons has tallied five tackles, 1.5 sacks, and an eye-popping 15 quarterback pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. The Packers, buoyed by their new defensive star, are considered 6.5-point favorites heading into Sunday’s matchup.
Parsons’ transition to Green Bay has been seamless, at least on the field. Off it, he’s quick to praise his new teammates and the organization for making him feel at home. "Besides the fans, just the teammates, the support staff, I mean they made this transition so great and I’m just extremely honored and blessed to be with such a great group of guys that want to win and that just want to play football and I think we’ve been playing really good football so far, so that helps and I just hope we continue that," he said.
His new contract reflects his value: a four-year, $188 million deal with $136 million guaranteed, making Parsons the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. It’s a testament to both his individual talent and the premium placed on elite pass rushers in today’s game. The Packers, who have their sights set on a Super Bowl run, wasted no time in locking up their new defensive cornerstone.
Back in Dallas, emotions are mixed. While some fans still hold Parsons in the highest regard, the Cowboys organization has made it clear that Sunday will be business as usual. Unlike past returns for franchise legends such as Emmitt Smith and Ezekiel Elliott, there will be no tribute video or special ceremony for Parsons. "I don’t think that’s appropriate this way," owner Jerry Jones explained. "Emmitt [Smith] was a different story. That’s not to diminish Micah. I think Micah has enough welcome out there and we just need to show that we’ve got antidotes for that."
The lack of a formal tribute has sparked debate among fans and pundits alike, especially given Parsons’ impact during his time in Dallas. But as the Cowboys look to find answers on defense and the Packers aim to keep rolling, the focus is squarely on the football. For Parsons, the chance to face his old team—and especially Prescott—will be a personal test. "He always told me if I ever faced him that it’ll be a great matchup," Parsons said, a hint of anticipation in his voice.
Dallas has a storied history of dramatic returns and so-called "revenge games." From Emmitt Smith’s emotional comeback with the Arizona Cardinals to more recent moments like Luka Doncic’s tearful return as a Laker, the city knows how to welcome back its prodigal stars. But each story is unique, and Parsons’ return brings its own blend of nostalgia, tension, and intrigue.
As kickoff approaches, all eyes will be on AT&T Stadium. Will Parsons haunt his former team with a game-changing play, or will the Cowboys find a way to contain their old nemesis? One thing’s for sure: the atmosphere will be electric, the stakes high, and the emotions running deep on both sides of the ball.
Regardless of the final score, Parsons’ homecoming is shaping up to be one of the defining moments of the young NFL season. With so much history, drama, and talent on display, Sunday night in Dallas promises to be a spectacle that fans won’t soon forget.
