Packers' playoff chances take a big hit after Denver Broncos loss 6 Dec 14, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons (1) walks off the field with help from medical personnel following an injury during the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Packers face ‘simple truth’ after Micah Parsons tears ACL

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Matt Lombardo | Last updated Dec 15, 2025 2:36 PM ET

The Packers are going to need to significantly adapt on defense, to make up for losing All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons to a torn ACL.

While safety Xavier McKinney has challenged his teammates to put in the hard work to pick up the slack left behind by Parsons and his 12.5 sacks this season, there are several key players along the front-seven who will need to step up over the season’s final three games if Green Bay is going to pull through and pull off not just a postseason berth but a playoff run in Parsons’ absence.

Packers need other pass rushers to step up

According to Pro Football Focus’ Bradley Locker, Rashan Gary and Kingsly Enagbare are going to be pivotal for the Packers’ success on defense the rest of the season.

“The simple truth, as painful as it may be for Green Bay, is that there’s no way to completely replicate the type of it received from Parsons. His ability to attract chips at one of the highest rates in the league freed opportunities for other defenders, and his deployment from unique alignments — such as being stacked over the nose tackle on third down — wreaked havoc.

“The onus will fall mostly on fellow edge rushers Rashan Gary and Kingsley Enagbare, although neither has registered a PFF pass-rushing grade above 60.1 — nor a pass-rush win rate higher than 10.9%. Consequently, that means that defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley likely won’t be able to rely on a four-man rush with as much efficacy.”

While Xavier McKinney has laid down the gauntlet for his teammates, PFF’s numbers suggest the Packers can no longer rely on simple talent to win. Moving forward, Green Bay’s playoff fate rests less on the ‘next man up’ mentality and more on Jeff Hafley’s ability to rewrite his entire defensive philosophy on the fly.

Packers' Micah Parsons and Rashan Gary are the NFL's most dominant edge rusher duo - and it's not all that close 1 Sep 21, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive end Rashan Gary (52) celebrates after a sack against the Cleveland Browns during the second half at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

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

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