Packers DC praises 'incredible' Micah Parsons

Star pass-rusher Micah Parsons made his Green Bay Packers debut in the club's 27-13 win over the Detroit Lions on Sunday after he spent the summer dealing with a back issue before he was traded by the Dallas Cowboys to Green Bay on Aug. 28.

Following the Packers' victory, defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley spoke with Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated about how Parsons impressed his new coaches and teammates leading up to the first Sunday of September.

Micah Parsons quickly embraced team-first mentality with Packers  

"Look, I know it’s only been a week, but he’s been incredible," Hafley said about Parsons. "For example, most elite pass-rushers don’t want to drop into zone coverage. In practice, I called a simulated pressure and he dropped and let [defensive end Rashan Gary] rush. He told me he was willing to do those things — and that’s so cool. He gets it. He knows everyone is going to base their protection on him. He’s willing to drop on a play and set it up for others. Most D-linemen won’t do that." 

According to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, Parsons recorded three pressures and one sack while playing 29 of 65 defensive snaps against the Lions. That's impressive considering it was unclear if Parsons would be physically good to go for Green Bay's season opener. 

Per Schneidman, Parsons did not need an injection for his back before Sunday's contest. 

How Parsons got prepared to face the Lions

"We just kept meeting with him," Hafley said about how the Packers got Parsons ready for Week 1. "A lot of it was getting to know him, developing a relationship with him. I quickly learned his football IQ is incredible. His retention, his football IQ, I was like, 'Wow.' And that made it a lot easier. ...It goes back to his football IQ and retention. To put himself in position to play today was incredible." 

Green Bay sent Dallas two first-round draft picks and Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark to acquire Parsons. The Packers then signed Parsons to a four-year, $188M contract that included $136M guaranteed and made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.

The Philadelphia Eagles were reportedly willing to give up two first-round draft picks, a third-round choice and a fifth-round selection "among other things" to land Parsons. However, Dallas understandably didn’t want to trade the 26-year-old to a division rival. 

Hafley added that he's "excited" about what's to come after the Packers held the Lions to just 13 points with Parsons not at his best. It remains to be seen how much Parsons will play in Green Bay's home game against the 1-0 Washington Commanders this coming Thursday night. 

Washington earned a 21-6 win over the New York Giants on Sunday.