Packers Make Historic Splash With Biggest Transaction In Team History

Golden is the first wide receiver drafted in the first round by Green Bay since they took Javon Walker 20th overall in 2002. An amount of time that had spanned five presidential terms, two recessions, a pandemic, and 8,405 days culminated in Golden joining the NFL’s most storied franchise. The selection of the Texas dynamo seems infinitesimal in comparison to what occurred on August 28th, though.

Welcome To The Reggie White Club

When Hall of Fame defensive end Reggie White signed a four-year, $17 million deal with the Packers in April of 1993, he became the first high-profile free agent to sign with an NFL team. White’s historic pact was the culmination of a federal antitrust lawsuit the players filed against the NFL.

In a case known as White v NFL, the era of free agency and the salary cap effectively began. White’s contract was the pinnacle of a decades-long labor struggle between the NFLPA and the billionaire NFL owners. Finally, players could tap into the free market and sell their services to the highest bidder.

32 years after White delivered historic results for both his new team and his fellow players, another perennial All-Pro pass rusher has found a home at Lambeau Field – similarly, right after a turbulent struggle with contract negotiations.

Is This A Dream For The Packers?

No, this is very real. After a tempestuous offseason in which Micah Parsons publicly sparred with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, a blockbuster trade was agreed upon with The Green and Gold.

In exchange for the nearly unmatched feats of Parsons, Gutekunst shipped two first-round draft picks and longtime defensive tackle Kenny Clark over to Dallas. How huge is this? Here are a few images to consider.

In addition, the Packers also signed Parsons to a four-year, $188 million extension, which makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. $120 million is guaranteed.

So Why Now?

The Packers have a new team president – the aforementioned Ed Policy. Policy said that he was not yet ready to extend the contracts of both head coach Matt LaFleur and general manager Gutekunst, who both have two years left on their deals.

Shortly after their underwhelming defeat in the wild card round against the Super Bowl champion Eagles, Gutekunst said, “I think, for me, the thing that’s been on my mind as we’ve concluded this season is we need to continue to ramp up our sense of urgency. These opportunities don’t come (very often). The life of a player in the National Football League is not very long. We’ve got a bunch of good guys in that locker room, got a bunch of talented guys in that locker room, and yeah, I think it’s time that we start competing for championships, right?”.

That urgency was amplified by the team’s two biggest transactions of this century – and arguably in team history. The time to win a Super Bowl is now. Green Bay has not gotten back to the promised land since they won Super Bowl 45 in the 2010 season.

Parsons Is Being Given The Royal Treatment

That has nothing to do with his historic deal and everything to do with his uniform number.

At the time the trade was accounted, Parsons took to X and asked fans which number he should don, 0 or 1.

After some amicable bantering about the matter, Parsons made his decision.

The number 1 had been unofficially retired by Green Bay since 1926, when legendary team founder Curly Lambeau donned the esteemed digit. In fact, Lambeau was the only player in franchise history to ever wear No. 1. Parsons is worthy of such an honor, and he’s ready to prove himself.

There is a human, sentimental side to this, of course. Parsons also announced that, with this new contract, his mom was able to retire.

End Of My Micah Parsons Rant

Jerry Jones was able to celebrate 30-year-old Super Bowl championships with a Netflix documentary! Meanwhile, he just traded a future Hall of Famer to an enduring rival that has knocked his team out of the playoffs three times since 2014.

Parsons is not only an established young superstar edge rusher in his prime – he’s also Mr. Versatility for Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. That’s because he can line up anywhere – Mike, Will, Sam, edge rusher, defensive tackle, outside linebacker, and even slot cornerback.

Of his 729 total snaps last year, 261 were at “Leo” linebacker, 140 were at left outside linebacker, 124 were at “Reo” (down lineman lined up outside of offensive tackle”, and he even played some special teams snaps.

Parsons is a generational talent who has matched Reggie White in terms of early career accomplishments. Never mind the pressures, sacks, and constant quarterback hits and hurries – Parsons’ resume already looks like this:

• Defensive Rookie of the Year (2021)
• Pro Bowler in every season he’s played
• Two-time All-Pro
• Defensive Player of the Year votes in every season; finished second in 2021-2022, third in 2023, and 17th last year
• Cowboys rookie sack record (13)

Any time a player like Parsons is available, you get him immediately. It’s now time for him to do what the Minister of Defense did in 1996: win a Super Bowl with the Packers.