The trade itself might have been fine.
The trade the Giants got was better.
Why didn't they make the deal with the Bears?
Why didn't we draft Fields and entertain offers?
Those were better options, IMO.
Obviously they didn't think that offer was better. They wanted parsons instead of a first round pick next year. What's so hard to understand?
First how do you know the Bears offered the Cowboys the same deal? You don't. Second, IF they would have made the trade they would have missed out on the best defensive impact player in the draft. Last year the Cowboys defense was a laughing stock in case you forgot.
Jerry said on the post draft PC. They had discussed this trade with the Eagles for a few days before the draft. If players were there or not there for both teams. They would look at the trade.
Jerry did not say, that I heard, or did not hear actually. That the trade was offered by the Bears. He did say, something to the effect as
@Rockport mentioned. They did not want to trade down too far to lose the player they had ranked highest on their board at the time they picked. As the value to them to drop too low may not be worth the trade down. That also was discussed before the draft.
So they had a plan and stuck to it.
Look at the players that were taken around 20th. Would any of them be the impact that Parsons can be? Not sure, but IMO, no.
As much as I wanted them to trade down and get a 2022 1st round pick, you are not guaranteed where hat pick may be, as well you need help now, not in 2022. If they would have taken that trade, and lost on Parsons, I guess I would be ok with that, however, I am fine with the way it worked out as well.