Could Chargers trade for Cowboys star Micah Parsons?

The Los Angeles Chargers are not just hoping to get back to the postseason, but they want to make some noise while they are there.

This would mean the team needs to get better on paper between now and the playoffs. One way of doing that is trading for Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons, who requested to be traded after negotiations with Jerry Jones went south.

CBS Sports writer Garett Podell listed the Chargers as a potential trade destination for Parsons.

“The Los Angeles Chargers made a massive leap in Year 1 of the Jim Harbaugh era in 2024, going from a 5-12 team in 2023 to 11-6 this past season and earning a playoff berth. However, they were unable to bother Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud enough in a 32-12 wild card round defeat, despite the Texans’ struggles to keep Stroud upright all year long. In a division with Kansas City Chiefs three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes, the Chargers could use as much pass rush help as they can get,” Podell wrote.

“Nine-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Khalil Mack is on a one-year contract at the age of 34, so the Chargers will need a new anchor on their defensive line. Parsons, who is eight years younger, could certainly be that for Los Angeles for years to come.“

Parsons, 26, recorded 43 tackles and 12 sacks despite missing four games for the Cowboys in the 2025 season, the first absence of his four-year NFL career.

Throughout his time in the league, Parsons has 52.5 sacks, which is good for fifth in the league in that span. Only Myles Garrett (Cleveland Browns), T.J. Watt (Pittsburgh Steelers), Trey Hendrickson (Cincinnati Bengals) and Nick Bosa (San Francisco 49ers) have achieved more.

The Cowboys won’t be so quick to trade Parsons, but if he isn’t going to agree to a long-term contract, things could change. The Cowboys likely wouldn’t want to trade him to the NFC, so the Chargers could be a candidate if they are willing to pay up in terms of trade value.

Considering where the Chargers find themselves, this is a risk that would be worth taking.