Packers Linked to Micah Parsons Blockbuster Trade as 'Ideal' Destination 3 Oct 16, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) leaves the field after the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Packers’ Brian Gutekunst’s surprising revelation on how Micah Parsons trade went down

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Matt Lombardo | Last updated Sep 2, 2025 10:30 AM ET

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst isn’t a stranger to blockbuster trades.

Acquiring Micah Parsons in exchange for a pair of first-round draft choices and defensive tackle Kenny Clark was just the latest in a line of bold moves Gutekunst has pulled off since he began calling the shots for the Packers.

According to Gutekunst, it was the experience pulling off another mega-deal that the Packers missed ount on, that helped make adding Parsons, in one of the most impactful trades of the past decade across the NFL, seamless for Green Bay.

Packers’ Brian Gutekunst Leaned on Khalil Mack Trade to Land Micah Parsons

Gutekunst revealed, in a comprehensive report from ESPN, that there was a key lesson he learned from the Chicago Bears scooping Khalil Mack from underneath the Packers that drove Green Bay’s pursuit of Parsons in recent weeks.

“I think what I learned from [the Mack] experience is you’ve got to be in it early,” Gutekunst said Friday.

Former Micah Parsons teammate blasts Jerry Jones after blockbuster trade 2 Jan 16, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones meets with outside linebacker Micah Parsons (11) prior to the NFC Wild Card playoff football game against the San Francisco 49ers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

By remaining steadily interested and in conversation with the Cowboys, Gutekunst and the Packers were able to pounce and pull off a trade mere weeks before the regular season kicked off, in a market where financial resources and flexibility were comparatively limited around the league.

According to ESPN, the Packers received permission to negotiate with Parsons on Tuesday, August 26, and by Thursday, the All-Pro edge was heading to Green Bay.

“The chances of these things [blockbuster trades] happening are pretty slim, and I think that was my mindset the whole time, was keep the conversations going because of the uniqueness of the player,” Gutekunst said. “But I don’t think it was really until the last few days that I actually thought, ‘Hey, there’s an opportunity here to close this thing out.'”

Former Micah Parsons teammate blasts Jerry Jones after blockbuster trade 3 Green Bay Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons speaks during an introductory press conference on Friday, August 29, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers made a trade with the Dallas Cowboys on Aug. 28 to acquire Parsons in exchange for defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first round picks.Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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