By Adeniyi Precious 
The Dallas Cowboys are playing a waiting game with star pass rusher Micah Parsons, and so far, “meaningful talks” about his contract haven’t even started. That’s bad news for the Cowboys because the longer they delay, the harder it’ll be to lock in a deal—especially after Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby secured massive contracts. Parsons is entering the final year of his rookie deal, and while he claims he’s not chasing the biggest payday, he still wants a fair contract. If the Cowboys take too long, Parsons could skip workouts or even request a trade.
With that in mind, here are three teams that could swoop in if Dallas drops the ball:
1. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens had one of the best offenses in the league last season, but their defense struggled—especially against the run. Losing Jadeveon Clowney and Geno Stone didn’t help, and their current roster lacks young defensive stars outside of Odafe Oweh. Bringing in Parsons could be the missing piece to balance out the team, especially with Lamar Jackson still in his prime and their Super Bowl window wide open.
2. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers just let go of Joey Bosa, and while Khalil Mack might return, there’s no guarantee he’ll be around long-term. New head coach Jim Harbaugh is building a tough, physical team, and Parsons would be a perfect fit for his defensive mindset. Plus, the Chargers have the cap space to make it work.
3. Carolina Panthers
Last year, the Panthers focused on fixing their offense, but now they’re turning their attention to the defense. They just signed Tershawn Wharton, but they still need another pass rusher to pair with Clowney. Parsons would be a game-changer for them, helping turn their defense into a real threat.
For now, Parsons is still a Cowboy, but with contract talks moving at a snail’s pace, it wouldn’t be surprising to see trade rumors heat up.