GREEN BAY – On Thursday evening, the Packers agreed to a blockbuster trade to acquire three-time All-Pro defensive lineman Micah Parsons from Dallas in exchange for two first-round picks and defensive lineman Kenny Clark.
Parsons has recorded 256 tackles, 112 quarterback hits and 52½ sacks in 63 games over his first four NFL seasons. He's also forced nine fumbles with four recoveries.
Here are five things to know about the Packers' new pass rusher:
- Parsons' start already puts him in legendary company.
In generating at least 12 sacks in each of his first four NFL seasons, the 26-year-old defensive lineman joins Pro Football Hall of Famer Reggie White (1985-88) as the only players in league history (since 1982) to accomplish that feat.
Parsons' 18 career multi-sack games are the second-most for an NFL player in his first four seasons, trailing only White (23).
White famously signed with Green Bay as a free agent in 1993 and registered 68½ sacks over the next six seasons with the Packers. His acquisition helped propel Green Bay back into title contention, culminating in a Super Bowl XXXI championship.
Parsons' 52½ sacks since entering the NFL in 2021 are the fifth-most sacks by a player in his first four seasons in league history (since 1982).
- He finished the 2024 season on a high note.
After missing the first four games with an ankle injury, the 6-foot-3, 250-pound defensive end bounced back with 11 sacks in the final nine games of the season for Dallas in 2024.
It was the most sacks in the NFL from Weeks 10-18 while Parsons' five multi-sack games tied for the most in the league. The performance made Parsons the first defensive player to be voted to the Pro Bowl in each of his first four seasons since Aaron Donald (2013-16).
Parsons recorded four tackles and 2½ sacks in what turned out to be his final game with the Cowboys, a 23-19 loss to Washington on Jan. 5, 2025.
- Parsons' NFL breakout was immediate.
He confirmed his status as one of the top prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft with a jaw-dropping performance at Penn State's pro day.
Parsons ran a 4.39-second time in the 40-yard dash at 6-3, 246 pounds, with a 1.59 split, 6.96 three-cone drill, 34-inch vertical and a 10-6 broad jump en route to being drafted 12th overall.
Parsons reset Dallas' rookie record for sacks with 13, which tied for third by a rookie in NFL history and sixth in the NFL in 2021. He also led the defense in hurries (42) and tackles for loss (12) while finishing fifth with 64 tackles.
For his efforts, Parsons was named the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, the first Cowboy to win the award. He also was the first defensive rookie in Cowboys history to be named to the AP All-Pro team.
- On top of being an elite pass-rusher, Parsons is an avid chess player.
While physically gifted, Parsons plays the game with intellect, as well. He taught himself chess to enhance his cognitive skills and has previously participated in Chess.com's BlitzChamp speed tournament for NFL players.
Parsons credits time spent playing chess to his rapid rise. During his breakout rookie campaign, Parsons wore the "green dot" communication helmet and was responsible for relaying play calls to the Cowboys' defense.
"I kind of understand every coverage we're in, why we're running it, what situations we'll be in," said Parsons in 2021. "I understand what we're trying to do, but now I want to understand what they're trying to do against me."
- He has several connections to the Packers.
Parsons' time in Dallas coincided with four of former Green Bay head coach Mike McCarthy's five seasons leading the Cowboys. Parsons' first NFL linebackers coach was former Packers assistant Scott McCurley.
He played two seasons for former Green Bay receivers coach James Franklin at Penn State, where Parsons was teammates with current Packers left tackle Rasheed Walker.
He registered 192 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 19 tackles for loss and six forced fumbles in 26 games, sitting out his junior year in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic. As a true freshman in 2018, he became the first freshman in school history to lead the team in tackles (83), starting one of the 13 games in which he played.
