When looking at the biggest Dallas Cowboys regret of 2025, there is zero question that the first thought in the mind of every fan and pundit is Micah Parsons. While the Cowboys are 1-1 and have wildcard potential, the Green Bay Packers are establishing themselves as the class of the NFC. A huge piece of this is the dominance of Parsons, who has wasted zero time making an impression.

It is bittersweet to watch the former franchise star thrive in a new landing spot, and it is a reminder of what Jerry Jones and a stubborn front office cost Dallas.

This all could have easily been avoided if the Cowboys had simply paid their stars when contracts were first due. Paying Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb both two years before the front office chose to do so would have opened up cap space. Waiting caused the price to skyrocket and lost you all leverage. This led to a predictable standoff with Parsons that ended with the franchise turning the page from its best player.

Cowboys Fans Still Not Over the Loss of Franchise Star Micah Parsons

Whether it was Jerry Jones poking fun at Parsons’ agent or discussing how much louder fan chants for asking to pay CeeDee, the owner pushed things at every turn. Perhaps it was due to Parsons becoming a bigger star than the owner himself. It is obvious throughout the years that there is nothing Jones loves more than a camera and a microphone that allows him to openly espouse his opinion.

No matter the reasoning, there is no denying that it will not only be the biggest regret of the 2025 season, but for years to come.

It is easy to argue that if Parsons were still on the roster, this is a 2-0 team that feels far different about its season. Week 1’s loss was incredibly close, with Philly’s Jalen Hurts finishing the game with his legs. If Parsons is on that field, the pass rusher is making at least one or two plays that give the Cowboys a better chance to escape with a win.

Leading to the next point, all that Dallas needed to do was pay Parsons as the top non-quarterback in the league a season ago. This would’ve been far cheaper than the deal he landed in Green Bay, and it would have given you a face of the franchise for years to come.

Instead, Jones needed to hog the spotlight and push out the best player the Cowboys have rostered in recent memory.

For Parsons, this has appeared to serve as motivation, with the star getting off to an incredible start with the Packers. Leaving no question that there is a healthy level of regret not only throughout the fan base, but in a front office that is now dealing with the unavoidable fact that this was a bad decision.

One that is going to haunt the franchise for quite some time as they look to breathe life into a struggling defense. A unit that really could use a boost from one of the best defenders of the last decade.