The Dallas Cowboys stunned the NFL world by trading Micah Parsons to the Packers on Thursday. However, a Cowboys legend believes it’s owner Jerry Jones’ secret plan to land Longhorns star Arch Manning.
In the blockbuster deal, the Cowboys received two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark in exchange for EDGE Parsons. And while many fans are upset with the trade, ex-Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant thinks Jones has plans up his sleeve.
Dez Bryant Links Parsons Trade to Bold Plan
“Arch Manning will have a star on his helmet. Nobody can tell me different,” Bryant took to X and wrote after the Cowboys finalized the deal with the Packers.
Dez Bryant thinks Arch Manning will be a future Cowboy 👀
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 29, 2025
Arch in Dallas would be ____ 🍿 pic.twitter.com/SrVsOzOokQ
When a fan suggested that the Cowboys might not finish with a poor enough record to land Manning in next year’s draft, Bryant replied. “Dallas will have three first-round picks they wouldn’t mind giving away,” he added, referring to the team’s own pick as well.
Bryant later clarified his comments to another commentator who interpreted them as a slight toward current QB Dak Prescott. “This has nothing to do with Dak… The Cowboys want to go in a different direction with everything. The writing’s been on the wall,” he said.
While Manning certainly could bring some star power to Dallas he is set to spend at least one more year with the Longhorns as he succeeds starter Quinn Ewers as the starting quarterback.
And Arch does not appear to be in hurry to get to the NFL as he told reporters that he was ‘just taking it day-by-day for now.’
Former NFL QB Shares Conspiracy Theory About Arch Manning
Longhorns star Manning did not have best of the start to the 2025 season. He could not connect passes at times, but finished with one touchdown pass in Texas’ 14-7 loss to Ohio State. This might have even tampered expectations from those already projecting him as a 2026 NFL Draft prospect. As the game played outone ex-quarterback offered his thoughts on Manning. The former NFL QB Kurt Benkert took to X on Saturday to suggest the Longhorns star was playing with a shoulder injury.
Arch clearly has a shoulder injury.
— Kurt Benkert (@KurtBenkert) August 30, 2025
They definitely aren’t disclosing it.
“Arch clearly has a shoulder injury. They definitely aren’t disclosing it,” wrote Benkert. “He has zero power and has to put everything he can into it. Wouldn’t be shocked if he strained it in camp. Doesn’t change the fact that his decision-making has been really bad – I’m not glazing anything I’m calling it as I see it”.
