When Packers' Micah Parsons believes he could return from torn ACL next season

Green Bay Packers star pass-rusher Micah Parsons went down with a season-ending torn ACL during Green Bay's Week 15 loss to the Denver Broncos. 

Thus, he was unable to do anything but watch as Green Bay squandered an 18-point lead en route to suffering a 31-27 wild-card playoff loss to the rival Chicago Bears this past Saturday. 

While speaking with reporters inside Green Bay's locker room on Monday, Parsons said that he plans to avoid landing on the physically unable to perform list come September. He would be forced to miss at least Green Bay's first four games of the 2026 season if he were placed on the PUP list. 

Will Micah Parsons miss less than a month of the 2026 season? 

"I think so far, they say I’m flying [through rehab] — so whatever that means," Parsons said about ideally avoiding the PUP designation, per Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "But there’s a timing standpoint they want. But I don’t think I’ll be on [PUP], I’ll say that, to start the season. I think lofty, I’d be saying Week 1. But realistically, probably like Week 3, Week 4."

The Dallas Cowboys traded Parsons to Green Bay in exchange for two first-round draft picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark back in late August. As part of the transaction, the Packers signed Parsons to a four-year, $188M contract that included $136M guaranteed. As noted by ESPN stats, Parsons led all Green Bay players for the season with 12.5 sacks that he tallied across 14 games. 

"Just to make sure, and just getting back into football, practicing hard, getting ready to sustain, take my body through what I go through. So, I think it’s just more that," Parsons added. 

Does Micah Parsons support Matt LaFleur amid John Harbaugh rumors?

Last week, some reporters suggested that the Packers could view former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh as an upgrade over current Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur. However, it was revealed on Monday that the Packers "are expected to try to work out a deal in the coming days" to sign LaFleur to an extension. LaFleur and Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst are only under contract through next season.

"I’ve had my fair share of coaches and people around this league that I’ve been around, and Matt is one of the best guys — and people, as a person — I’ve been around since I’ve been in this league," Parsons said about LaFleur, per Simmons. "I reached out to him when I started seeing this [stuff about a coaching change], and I said, 'Man, when I agreed to come here, you were part of the reason why I came here. I want you [to be] a part of this, and I love you, and I think you’re a great coach.' He appreciated those words, and we had a brief conversation."

While things often change quickly in the NFL, it seems like Parsons' wish regarding LaFleur's future will be granted. 

"But Matt, I think he’s a great guy," Parsons continued during his comments about LaFleur. "And I just think he cares so much — he cares so much about the players. I don’t think people realize that. And you can get spoiled with good coaching and good people, and you don’t realize until they’re going. And I don’t want to be at that point where we realize like, d—, we let such a great coach go."