Micah Parsons brings star power to Green Bay's defense following Dallas Cowboys trade

On August 28, one of the biggest NFL trades in recent history took place with the Dallas Cowboys shipping former Penn State star Micah Parsons to Green Bay for a massive trade haul that also saw him earn a new record non-QB contract worth $188 million over four years.

The Cowboys and Parsons were engaged in an intense public contract negotiation, marked by back-and-forth jabs between the disgruntled star and team owner Jerry Jones.

Green Bay pulled off this move after freeing up salary with the release of All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander this offseason.

Now, the Packers acquired a new defensive icon for years to come with an opportunity to add his name to one of the NFL's most storied franchises.

What Micah Parsons brings to a Green Bay Packers team on the hunt for a Super Bowl victory

Green Bay is on a mission to not only make the playoffs, but come away from the 2025-26 season with a Super Bowl title. With the recent trade, it secured one of the best players in the league with the statistics to back him up.

Ahead of the 2025 season, PFF ranked Parsons as the sixth-best edge rusher in 2024.

This grade comes with the Harrisburg, Penn. native also earning PFF top-10 ranks in forced fumbles, sacks, total pressures, and hits. He's a total quarterback hunter on defense.

What makes Parsons such a great pass rusher is his speed at the edge; he blows by linemen even though he's faced the most double coverage in the NFL in 2024 (31.5 percent) due to his six-foot-three-inch frame. He effortlessly combines agility and power.

Parsons also brings versatility. He has the ability to play as a linebacker off the line of scrimmage or as a pure pass rusher. With his technical excellence, Parsons also has a great motor to a blue-collar fanbase where he will fit perfectly.

Parsons is remarkable for his ability to combine multiple defensive line techniques. Especially with countermoves, he shifts multiple directions to utilize his agility to its full potential.

Fans will see one of the most dynamic rushers in the league's star in Green Bay for years to come. Parsons is already in the midst of his prime at only 26, which blends well with a young Packers team. Alongside Rashan Gary, who posted 7.5 sacks last season, Parsons will create one of the NFL's best defenses.

Dallas will miss Parsons greatly. The Cowboys had the third most sacks in the league last season with 52, and he contributed an impressive 12 over just 13 games. Outside of Parsons' performance, they had moments of weakness in their pass rush. They allowed the fifth-highest opponent passer rating (99.5) in 2024.

For the Packers, the good only gets better. With a top-10 team in touchdowns allowed (17), sacks (45), opponent passer rating (88.5), interceptions (17), and fumbles (14) in 2024, Parsons will only bring a star power element to the defense to improve those numbers and propel Green Bay to the playoffs.

The results of this trade will soon unfold. All eyes will be on Parsons' return to Dallas on a Week 4 Sunday Night Football matchup slated between the two squads.