Grade the Trade Proposal: Bills land deal with Cowboys in blockbuster trade
With the NFL Draft just under two weeks away, there’s still plenty of time for big developments to unfold. Whether it’s a free agent signing, a roster cut, or a blockbuster trade, any of these could significantly impact how the draft plays out live from Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The Buffalo Bills have been active this offseason, especially on the defensive side of the ball, making several key additions in free agency. They’re hoping these new faces can make an immediate impact, but there’s always room for improvement.
According to Spotrac, the Bills still have around $6 million in cap space. That leaves the door open for another free agent signing—either before or after the draft. General manager Brandon Beane has made mid-offseason moves before, like the signing of edge rusher Leonard Floyd in the summer of 2023.
Don’t rule out the possibility of the Bills making another move, whether it’s a free agent addition or even a trade, before the 2025 season kicks off. Anything can happen in the NFL, even involving star players. We regularly see big names on the move, and NFL Spin Zone’s Lou Scataglia recently floated a bold trade idea in which the Bills acquire superstar Micah Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys.
Bills land Micah Parsons in major blockbuster trade proposal
Lou Scataglia of NFL Spin Zone recently compiled a list of potential pre-draft trades that could send shockwaves through the NFL—and one of the boldest ideas was a deal sending Micah Parsons to the Buffalo Bills. Such a move would undoubtedly shake up the league.
Scataglia suggested that, while it’s unlikely, the Cowboys should consider trading Parsons to an AFC team like Buffalo in exchange for a massive package of draft picks. The Bills have already reshaped their defensive line through free agency and could be just one major move away from completing their defensive overhaul. With an abundance of picks in the 2025 draft, Buffalo has the assets to make something happen.
If Dallas fails to reach a long-term deal with Parsons, it might seem shocking—though, given their history of dragging out extensions with stars like Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, maybe it wouldn’t be all that surprising. The Cowboys have multiple roster needs, and acquiring significant draft capital could help them fill the gaps. Despite Parsons being a franchise-caliber player, Dallas may need to consider the broader picture.
Trading Parsons would net a huge return—possibly similar to what the Raiders got when they dealt Khalil Mack to the Bears in 2018. In that deal, Chicago gave up a hefty package and then signed Mack to a six-year, $141 million deal with $90 million guaranteed. It gave the Bears their defensive anchor while the Raiders entered a rebuild.
Given Buffalo’s recent success and late-round draft positions, surrendering two first-round picks for a player of Parsons’ caliber might not be unreasonable. Pairing him with Joey Bosa (should Buffalo land both) in 2025 would create a dominant and potentially unstoppable defensive unit.
The real challenge for the Bills, however, would be affording Parsons. With the edge rusher market exploding—Myles Garrett earning $40 million annually and Danielle Hunter making $35.6 million—Parsons will likely command a deal in that range or higher. He’s averaged 14 sacks per year, earned Pro Bowl honors every season, and has been named an All-Pro twice already. He’s going to get paid, whether it’s by the Cowboys or someone else.
While a Josh Allen–Micah Parsons duo would be intimidating for the rest of the league, it’s hard to envision Buffalo mortgaging future assets and handing out a massive contract to a high-profile personality like Parsons. That’s not typically Brandon Beane’s style, and the complexity of the move makes it a tough sell for the Bills’ front office.