The Green Bay Packers shocked the NFL world earlier this week by acquiring four-time Pro Bowl linebacker Micah Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys for two first round picks (2026 and 2027) and three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark. Parsons had demanded a trade away from Dallas weeks prior after contract negotiations had stalled, and while Green Bay had been rumored to have been interested in acquiring him, very few thought it would actually happen.
But it did. It came at a heavy cost, though, with Clark (the longest tenured Packers player) being shipped out in the deal. That being said, Parsons is younger and one of the best defensive players in the whole NFL. Indeed, this was a move that was a home run swing at a Super Bowl, one that everyone in Green Bay proves to be worth the risk.
In addition to trading for Parsons, Green Bay also gave the three-time All-Pro a four-year $188 million contract extension. In doing so, the Packers made him the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history, just one year after making Jordan Love (at the time) the league’s highest-paid quarterback with his 4-year $220 million contract.
Of course, Love’s contract has since been surpassed, most notably by Parsons’ old Cowboys teammate Dak Prescott. Nevertheless, Green Bay is going to be paying a high percentage of their salary cap to both Love and Parsons for the foreseeable future.
And when it came to his new quarterback, Parsons had nothing but praise. During his introductory press conference in Green Bay, the new Packers linebacker referenced how impressed he was with Love when the two faced off in the NFL Playoffs two years ago.
“It’s not like they were drafting Julio Jones’ or Odell Beckham Jr.’s or Amari Cooper’s, and how to get creative getting guys open, beating coverages,” Parsons said. “That just says a lot about Jordan’s intelligence. I kinda knew what it was like, I was like, ‘Okay, this is the guy I can be playing with.’ It made me excited because I know if they score points, I get to rush a little more.”
He also addressed the video that was recirculated on social media after the the trade took place, showing Love saying Parsons should come play for the Packers when appearing on Parsons’ podcast during the week of this past Super Bowl.
“I don’t think it was ever a serious conversation because I never thought I’d be traded, but that’s the harsh reality. Me and Jordan, we’re super close, having the same agent,” Parsons said. “We’ve got a very good relationship.”
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!