Bruce Arians Would Have Made Micah Parsons Deal
September 2nd, 2025
“That’s two parts bourbon and one part senility, Joel.”
Were the Bucs in the mix for beastly versalite pass rusher Micah Parsons before he was traded from the Cowboys to the Packers for two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark?
Of course they weren’t. But the Bucs might have been had they listened to their senior advisor to the general manager, Super Bowl-winner head coach Bucco Bruce Arians.
Arians wholeheartedly endorsed the price tag on Parsons today during his new analyst gig at The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN.
“That’s no bullsh*t, brother,” Arians said of the Parsons ransom. “He is the best gamewrecker in the game. I’m giving two [first-round] picks plus maybe a fifth [round pick]. I was shocked this was all it [cost]. … I think it’s great for the Packers. I think it’s good for the Cowboys.”
Of course, Parsons fat new contract of $40 million+ per year also was key to the deal.
Joe’s glad the Bucs passed on the Parsons trade. Heck, if the Bucs truly were obsessed with adding pass-rush talent, the team would have drafted one or bought another free agent edge rusher like Leonard Floyd, for example, in addition to Haason Reddick.
September 2nd, 2025 at 1:38 pm
Here’s why a head coach should never also be a GM.
Newsflash – for similar reasons, it’s why a head coach should never also be one of the coordinators reporting to him.
Todd.
September 2nd, 2025 at 1:39 pm
No bucs gm jason licht doesn’t make moves like that #!!
September 2nd, 2025 at 1:40 pm
That contract is crippling though. Unless the cap rises sharply.
September 2nd, 2025 at 1:45 pm
I’m not trading all that just to find out we gotta shoot Micah up with pain meds pre-game because he’s got a back sprain.
September 2nd, 2025 at 1:45 pm
Well, Bucco Bruce Ariens can say anything he wants, but would he do it in real life knowing that Parsons is going to need an epidural in order to play Thursday night? Parsons apparently really does have a sprained back. Besides, Licht would rather resign the players we have and so would I.
September 2nd, 2025 at 1:49 pm
And how much money the Bucs has tied up with Injured players?
It’s a iffy situation
September 2nd, 2025 at 1:56 pm
A healthy Parsons would have prolly put us in the SB.
September 2nd, 2025 at 2:00 pm
Of course. It was 💯 a no-brainer move to make. Parson’s agent was interviewed by Stephen A. this morning, and it’s like I said… That contract (just as they always do) will ‘look-like’ a STEAL in less than 2-years. And, that’s WHY they did not want to agree to a 5-year deal, because by then, the market for EDGE-Rushers will prob be at around $65-MIL+ per year! So, given Micah’s age, he’s going to get ANOTHER BIG ‘bite of the apple’ and a BIG FAT second FA contract. What a lot of people aren’t considering, is the fact that this salary CAP (that rises every year) is getting ready to EXLODE through this next negotiation, AND then the new ‘tv-contract’ getting ready to hit SOON. Plus, everyone knows this NFL “Salary Cap” is manipulated heavily, almost to the point of being arbitrary and meaningless, to begin with. EVERY other ‘contending’ team right now (who wants to), always seem to find a way!!!!
September 2nd, 2025 at 2:02 pm
Licht should have added another proven rusher via free agency. Diaby is cool but his production is kinda like greg spires/adrian Clayborn just being real
September 2nd, 2025 at 2:03 pm
I keep seeing conflicting versions of what his position is: one publication calls him a DE, another calls him an edge Considering his few tackles per game, I’d view him as more a DE, which means he wouldn’t take Yaya’s nor Reddick’s slot, but likely Logan Ryan’s?
September 2nd, 2025 at 2:04 pm
Team sport. Maybe he’d be better here. Maybe not.
Big risk, big possible reward.
Pass!
September 2nd, 2025 at 2:06 pm
I was also, “shocked” at the price. Well worth just two late first-round picks and what turns out to be probably a salary dump. Jerry could’ve gotten quite a bit more with A LOT BETTER timing, on his part. I’m probably even more “shocked” that the Joe’s weren’t all over this deal, since all we’ve heard (especially from that one ‘late-night’ Joe LoL), over the past TWO ‘offseasons’ was “EDGE RUSHER, EDGE RUSHER, EDGE RUSHER.” Haha
September 2nd, 2025 at 2:10 pm
2 firsts and Vea? No way.
September 2nd, 2025 at 2:17 pm
“one publication calls him a DE, another calls him an edge Considering his few tackles per game, I’d view him as more a DE, which means he wouldn’t take Yaya’s nor Reddick’s slot, but likely Logan Ryan’s?”
He’s a DE in a 4-3 and an OLB in a 3-4
“Edge rusher” is not a football position, it’s a buzzword used to explain either position. It’s gotten more and more popular the more it’s used in the 25hr sports news cycle, and if you have no foundational understanding of the game you’ll think “rushing the passer” is all these guys do/are good for.
September 2nd, 2025 at 2:19 pm
Don’t be fooled into thinking that contract would cripple any team. At the rate the NFL salary cap is going up Parsons deal will look like a bargain in 3 years.
Smart GMs look years ahead, not just at today.
Who knows if Licht had a realistic shot at trading for Parson. I don’t think he would have based on how much he’s shown he values high draft picks. But if he did and passed on it, that was a mistake.
September 2nd, 2025 at 2:40 pm
Hmm. Both of the Bucs’ Super Bowl winning coaches would have traded for him…
September 2nd, 2025 at 2:42 pm
This guys back will not hold up for a full season. Too risky and the Packers are going to learn the hard way. I was for the trade if it entailed 1 First round and maybe a 2nd, knowing he will not play all 17 games and not giving him 40 million. PRICE IS WAY TO HIGH.
September 2nd, 2025 at 2:42 pm
100% healthy, go for it. BUT he’s not and no way the Bucs had the salary cap space so it is irrelevant
September 2nd, 2025 at 2:45 pm
It’s not just the draft picks. How many current players can you not resign because of his $186,000,000 contract? Goedeke? Evans? Mauch? Otton?
September 2nd, 2025 at 2:52 pm
I believe this was a post happy hour take from BA. Green Bay wayyyy overpaid.
September 2nd, 2025 at 2:53 pm
He might need nerve blocking shots in his spine to be able to play week 1. He missed 6 games last year do to injury. Maybe Jones knew something the Packers didn’t. Those 2 first rounders, and let’s not forget they got a good young DT in the deal might turn out to be the best move for the Cowboys. Would you give up 2 firsts, and Kancey for Parsons? I wouldn’t, and that’s what it would’ve taken.
September 2nd, 2025 at 2:54 pm
Surely, the Bucs did their homework and it was too risky and way too much.
Right on, CyberDilemma – Next year is a big year for renewal contracts. Mike, Baker, Godwin, …
September 2nd, 2025 at 3:00 pm
Everybody say they want Micah Parsons. Did they forget that this gentleman said that he does not want to drop back and all he wants to do is rush the passer?
The only reason he was not offered is because he would not want to be in our scheme! If he has shown just a glimpse of willingness to jump drop back I am sure that Jason and Todd would have at least inquired.
Yes this man is a great generational talent however he chose not to play in our particular defense and I doubt that our defense will change for him
September 2nd, 2025 at 3:01 pm
Arians lost all credibility when he thought Leftwich was wrongly fired
September 2nd, 2025 at 3:04 pm
Bowles would have made him a corner its irrelevant…
September 2nd, 2025 at 3:06 pm
I think the Cowboys will win this trade in the long term if they draft right. Those extra firsts give them a ton of flexibility in the next two drafts.
The addition of Clark who is a huge improvement on the interior d line was a big win for the Boys. Mazi Smith has not lived up to his draft hype. The Boys also have Ezieruaku who nearly everyone was hyped about during the draft at one edge. They also added Fowler Jr at the other end.
September 2nd, 2025 at 3:06 pm
That type of flattery that costs NOTHING can be an influence in a year or two if he becomes available…
September 2nd, 2025 at 3:10 pm
3 playoff games 1 sack
September 2nd, 2025 at 3:12 pm
Yeah I’m good with the Bucs passing on Parsons. Not a huge fan in tying up that much salary on one player.
September 2nd, 2025 at 3:29 pm
Sounds like a man who knows how to play defense. 🙂
September 2nd, 2025 at 3:30 pm
They always do. What is expensive today is a bargain tomorrow. Short of a global pandemic, when exactly has the salary cap gone down?
September 2nd, 2025 at 3:39 pm
I’d have no issues giving up the two 1sts, but the salary is tough – the Bucs have been deferring a ton of contracts, and if you’re adding $44M, you’re giving up probably two players on the roster right now – like Luke and Evans, and perhaps a bit more. So do you begin crippling your offense for Bowles to have Parsons playing zone 85% of the time? Probably not.
September 2nd, 2025 at 3:46 pm
Arians is history. Can Joes focus on the Bucs Opening Game? It will not be a cakewalk.
September 2nd, 2025 at 3:48 pm
orlbucfan Says:
September 2nd, 2025 at 3:46 pm
Arians is history. Can Joes focus on the Bucs Opening Game? It will not be a cakewalk.
————
You do know Joe isn’t on the staff and doesn’t have anything to do with preparing the game, right?
September 2nd, 2025 at 3:48 pm
i dont get all the hate for Bowles- is it some kind of florida redneck racism thing? cheeez
reddick is going to make the line better just like shaq did at the end of last year
he could be a game wrecker in just 5 days
September 2nd, 2025 at 3:52 pm
only read the headline–agreed Arians would of made that trade. Rather we not make it as now Parsons has a back issue–we really should be glad to have Reddick–just need 2 of him.
September 2nd, 2025 at 4:07 pm
No worries YaYa and Braswell will save us this year…. We don’t need Parsons. Oh and we don’t need to go to the SB either.
September 2nd, 2025 at 4:54 pm
ASK THE OTHER HALF OF THE QUESTION …
Would you rather have:
Micah
or
Evans, Goedeke, Zyon
You cannot have everyone and $40+ gets you a lot.
September 2nd, 2025 at 5:00 pm
bucs would have never got baker if it wasnt for bruce
September 2nd, 2025 at 5:28 pm
“Short of a global pandemic, when exactly has the salary cap gone down?“
Yes it’s always going up, but all these TV deals has kind of put the cap increases on an accelerated rate. It just got over $200M in 2022, next season it’s projected to get over $300M
For comparison, the salary cap first went up over $100M in 2007.
September 2nd, 2025 at 5:55 pm
100% lwould have cost the Bucs Vea to bring Parsons in + two first round picks. I don’t think that would have made us better
September 2nd, 2025 at 6:18 pm
No risk it, no biscuit
September 2nd, 2025 at 6:18 pm
$40 mill. a year, say goodbye to Wirfs, Evans and David.
September 2nd, 2025 at 6:24 pm
If we threw Vita in the mix, it would have brought the cost down (1st and 2nd maybe). It would have also cleared some money from 30+ year old players next big contract. That would have solved a chunk of the dollars. I could then live with finding another RT considering the rest of the line is so solid. Look at that, 2 players would’ve made up at least 3/4 of Micah’s annual salary. Then we’d be drafting DT and RT high next year. Would have been worth it.
September 2nd, 2025 at 6:24 pm
Goedeke just got an extension. The type of thing you’re doing when you’re trying to build a sustainable product.
September 2nd, 2025 at 6:27 pm
If you think the Packers are one player away from a SB then yes it’s a good deal. I don’t think adding Parsons even makes them favorite to win the division. Cowboys getting two number 1s come out on top.
September 2nd, 2025 at 6:55 pm
Having star players tell the coaches that he will not do certain things is dumb. Playing in the schemes the team has is part of what is expected of professionals. Parsons sounds like he would not fit here in Tampa. Coming from the Cowboys may mean that he is “damaged goods” in more than one way.
Pass! Go Bucs!!
September 2nd, 2025 at 6:56 pm
If need need a pass rusher we may be able to get one a lot cheaper at the tradecdealine
September 2nd, 2025 at 7:22 pm
Ever notice Arians stays at a place long enough for the roster to be approaching cap hell and full of aging players and then he bolts? Got out of Arizona when it was starting to stink. Left the Bucs in cap hell where they had to take a $80mil hit in one year and load the roster up with rookies and undrafted players.
September 2nd, 2025 at 7:37 pm
Having an extraordinarily expensive superstar that you’ve given up multiple high picks for has very seldom worked out for the buyer. I’d rather have multiple B+ or A- players over one A+ player.
September 2nd, 2025 at 7:44 pm
Parsons and his agent got what they wanted. Good for them.And better for the Packers. Jerry gets 2-1st rounders. Thats a nice haul. Plus he got a decent lineman. Make no mistake, Parsons is a baller and can be a game disrupter. I’m not mad at anybody. Wish we had him.
September 2nd, 2025 at 7:47 pm
JL and Bucs needed MC. Defense has good players but not a game wrecker. This is best defensive player in league and only 26. Maybe you get lucky and draft one… Most don’t. You get a chance to get that guy you make best effort.
September 2nd, 2025 at 8:15 pm
Sure I read a story how the Bucs should have traded Vita Vea and 2 first rounder picks for Parsons. Micah Parsons is hurt with a bad back folks. I wouldn’t trade Vita Vea even up for Parsons. Parsons is a cancer. Too much drama. His contract is going to cripple Green Gay
September 2nd, 2025 at 8:39 pm
What Josh said. Bowles have wanted him as a third safety.
September 2nd, 2025 at 9:57 pm
Yeah who cares what Arians would do they’re trying to sustain a team first culture and that dude Parsons wouldn’t fit.
September 2nd, 2025 at 10:12 pm
Dallas is already crippled by the salary cap. They are paying CeeDee $34 mil per year and Dak is getting $60 mil per year. They couldn’t possibly afford the $46.5 mil per year salary Parsons got with Green Bay and have any chance of fielding a team, let alone getting out of their salary cap hole. Those three salaries, alone, would be $140.5 million dollars, 50% of their entire team budget per year.
Compare that to the Bucs top three salaries this year – Evans ($25.4 mil), Mayfield ($26.5 mil) and Vea ($22.5 mil) – which comes to only $74.4 million dollars – about 27% of the cap.
Perennial winners never have their top three players making so much money, the team can’t afford, cap-wise, to pay other important positions. The Chiefs top three total $79 million, the Eagles top three are at $58 million, the Ravens top three are at $84 million, the Bills top three are at $71 million.
The Cowboys did what they had to do for the survival of their team and in the long run, may very well have improved their team.
September 3rd, 2025 at 7:21 am
Bruce is just blowing some smoke and Jason would have blown a gasket at the mere suggestion of giving up two first rounders!
Actually kind of funny to me in an odd way.
Go Bucs!