Jerry Jones Reiterates He Has No Regrets as the ‘Riverboat Gambler’ After Micah Parsons Trade

Jerry Jones traded away Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers for Kenny Clark and two 1st-round draft picks.

Jerry Jones Reiterates He Has No Regrets as the ‘Riverboat Gambler’ After Micah Parsons Trade

Jerry Jones acknowledged the risk in trading Micah Parsons (Image via NFL/X/Imago)

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Over the past few decades, Dallas Cowboys fans, along with several sports analysts, have questioned whether Jerry Jones was fit to be the GM of his team. After trading Micah Parsons away, those questions received another boost.

Dallas fans could not make sense of the trade, as the star pass rusher was termed a generational talent. Many believed Jones was just saving his money while letting go of a player who could have been the anchor of his defense for at least a decade.

Instead, he reiterated that he had no regrets and was patting himself on his back for getting a good return for a player who ended up earning a $47 million a year contract from the Green Bay Packers.

The trade was a gamble, as the billionaire knew he would be judged by the assets he received in return. While speaking at The Star on Friday, Jones acknowledged the risk involved in trading away a talent like Micah Parsons. At the same time, he had no regrets:

I hate to use the old adage but that ‘riverboat gambler.’ The riverboat gambler when on the next card (he) may own the boat and he’s charming or they may throw him in the river, according to which way that card went. And that’s when he’s his very best, not when he knows what’s going to happen. But let me tell you one damn thing, that riverboat gambler knows how to swim because he’s been thrown in there before, OK.

Jerry Jones said as quoted by Todd Archer

By referencing the Riverboat Gambler, Jerry Jones seems to be reminding everyone that he knows how to continue being competitive, even if everyone seems to think he does not know what he is doing.

Jerry Jones believes Micah Parsons’ exit will give Cowboys flexibility

Jerry Jones has made some questionable choices in the past few seasons. From overpaying Dak Prescott, to not doing much in the 2024 offseason, to now trading away Micah Parsons. It seems the 82-year-old billionaire is learning and adapting from his decisions, as he explained in detail why he made this trade with the Green Bay Packers.

Remember, you cannot have it all. You just cannot have it all… Now there’s lots of room in $200 million to go through over a period of time. What I’m doing with you is covering several years over these next four years.

Jerry Jones said as quoted by Todd Archer

Jones added that the benefit of multiple draft picks and avoiding adding to the team’s salary cap was a chance he did not want to miss. He believes that over the next few years, the benefits of this trade will start reaping its rewards.

Jerry Jones’ risky trade reaped rewards in the run game

By trading Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers, the Dallas Cowboys received Kenny Clark and the Packers’ two first-round picks in 2026 and 2027.

Kenny Clarke performed well in his Cowboys debut
Kenny Clarke performed well in his Cowboys debut (Image Sleeper Cowboys/X)

On paper, this seems like a good move at the expense of some pass rushing. But it helped the Cowboys more at stopping the run than when Parsons was a part of the team. Clark notched 5 total tackles with 2 solo. Along with Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas, the line restricted Saquon Barkley to just 4.4 yards per carry.

Once they get more time to practice, this should improve. In Dallas Cowboys history, their offensive and defensive lines have paved their way to success. Maybe that is what Jerry Jones wants to focus on.

But those groups had a tremendous impact. That is probably why Jones preferred to extend Odighizuwa over his best defensive player. Maybe he has a vision, and that should show its impact in their next game against the New York Giants.

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