The Philadelphia Eagles made a strong push to trade for Micah Parsons this summer, league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Philadelphia called Dallas to try to acquire Parsons, but the Cowboys had no interest in trading the two-time All-Pro pass rusher within their own division -- especially to the rival Eagles, sources told Schefter.
After months of failed negotiations on a long-term contract, the Cowboys ultimately traded Parsons last week to the Green Bay Packers, who then signed the four-time Pro Bowler to a record-breaking four-year, $188 million deal.
The contract included $120 million fully guaranteed at signing and $136 million in total guarantees, making Parsons the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
Despite their heated rivalry, the Eagles and Cowboys previously agreed to a high-profile trade during the NFL draft in 2021, when Philadelphia moved up two spots to select wide receiver DeVonta Smith with the 10th pick.
Dallas used the No. 12 pick on Parsons.
A Parsons trade would have bolstered an already stout Eagles defense that led the NFL in total defense last season while finishing second in points allowed.
A trade to the Eagles also would have been a homecoming of sorts for Parsons, who was born and grew up in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and was a college superstar at Penn State.
Despite the Pennsylvania ties, Parsons grew up rooting for Dallas and "wanted to be a Cowboy," according to his agent.
"He grew up cheering for the Cowboys, wore the blue and white at Penn State, wore it in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys," agent David Mulugheta told ESPN's "First Take" on Tuesday. "He wanted to be a Cowboy, and we did everything we could for him to remain a Cowboy."
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who offered Parsons a lucrative deal in March, said on Aug. 28 that the blockbuster trade would give Dallas "a better chance to be a better team than we have been the last several years."
The Cowboys acquired defensive tackle Kenny Clark and first-round picks in 2026 and 2027 from the Packers for Parsons, who has 52.5 sacks in his first four seasons.
The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles host the Cowboys in the NFL regular-season opener Thursday night.