On December 29, 2024, a frustrated Matt LaFleur lamented that his Packers were unable to pressure Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold during their 27-25 loss, a game that saw Darnold complete 33 of 43 passes for a career-high 377 yards. The team managed just one sack on Darnold’s 44 dropbacks, which was indicative of their season-long struggles on defense.
LaFleur noted the importance of pressure saying, “You gotta get pressure on these guys if they’re gonna drop back that many times, and if you don’t, it’s gonna be a long day,” acknowledging the struggles of covering talented receivers like Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison without an effective pass rush.
In the aftermath of a disappointing playoff exit, LaFleur swiftly moved to fire defensive line coach Jason Rebrovich.
Now, with the acquisition of Micah Parsons, the Packers have made a bold move to address their pass-rush problem. In a surprise trade on Thursday, the team acquired Parsons from the Cowboys for two future first-round picks and Kenny Clark. Parsons, who had been in a standoff with Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones over his contract, received a substantial four-year, $188 million extension — the largest contract for a non-quarterback in NFL history.
Parsons has proven to be a game-changer throughout his career thus far, with his 52.5 career sacks ranking him fifth among players in their first four seasons. Notably, only Reggie White, DeMarcus Ware, and J.J. Watt have better numbers, making Parsons’s historical presence with the Packers particularly poignant.
Despite his injury struggles last year, where he missed four games, Parsons still managed twelve sacks, a mark not reached by a Packers players since Za’Darius Smith in 2020. This progress highlights Parsons’s potential to elevate Green Bay’s defensive game significantly.
If a player of Parsons’s caliber can maintain or improve upon their performance, the Packers will have a serious asset on opposite edge against NFC North rivals.
Green Bay’s defense was misleading last season; while they registered 54 sacks — the eighth most in the NFL — they struggled against pass rush efficiency, ranking 26th in pass rush win rate. They will no longer have to worry about pass-rush productivity with Parsons joining the squad.
The trade also elevates Green Bay’s Super Bowl odds significantly, with their chances improving from +2200 prior to the deal to +1200 afterward, now positioned among title contenders with substantial depth and resources on both sides of the ball.
With Parsons in tow, the Packers have the potential not just to reshape their defensive strategy but also to challenge for the Super Bowl once again. The echoes of Reggie White’s influence resonate as Green Bay now seeks new glory with its defensive star.
