A silver lining in Micah Parsons trade for coach Brian Schottenheimer?
Briefly

Brian Schottenheimer begins his first season as Dallas Cowboys head coach facing heightened challenges after Micah Parsons was traded to the Green Bay Packers for two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. The trade reduced external expectations and dropped Dallas from 17th to 24th in ESPN's Football Power Index. FPI now gives the Cowboys a 28.2% chance to make the playoffs, 11.5% to win the NFC East and 1.1% to win the Super Bowl. The season opens against the Philadelphia Eagles. Schottenheimer emphasized ongoing communication with players and ownership during the Parsons saga. Team overperformance could strengthen Schottenheimer's position; underperformance would be viewed in the context of Parsons' absence.
FRISCO, Texas -- Brian Schottenheimer's first year as the Dallas Cowboys head coach was already going to be a difficult one. That's the nature of any job for a first-timer. It was made more difficult Thursday when the Cowboys traded their Pro Bowl edge rusher, Micah Parsons, to the Green Bay Packers for two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. But there might be good news for Schottenheimer with the trade.
Expectations entering the season, which starts Thursday against the Philadelphia Eagles ( 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC), are low. Dallas fell from 17th to 24th in ESPN's Football Power Index rankings after the trade. FPI now gives the Cowboys a 28.2% chance of making the playoffs, 11.5% to win the NFC East and 1.1% to hoist the Lombardi Trophy. If the Cowboys overachieve, at least by outside expectations, then Schottenheimer will be in a good situation.
Read at ESPN.com
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