The NFL world hasn’t stopped buzzing since the Green Bay Packers pulled off their blockbuster trade for Micah Parsons. But while some are already penciling Green Bay in as NFC favorites, former MVP Cam Newton is here to pump the brakes, hard.
Cam Newton Packers not better than Lions
“They’re Not Better Than Detroit”
On First Take, Newton was direct when asked if the Packers now leapfrogged the Detroit Lions as a top NFC threat.
“They’re not better than Detroit, even after this Micah Parsons pick,” Newton said as quoted by LionsWire. “You can’t say with a straight face that they are.”
Green Bay gave up two first-round picks and three-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Kenny Clark to land Parsons, then signed him to a record-setting four-year, $188 million deal. It’s the type of move that had some analysts crowning them as the biggest threat to the Philadelphia Eagles. Newton wasn’t buying it.
Not Instant Contenders
Newton acknowledged the upside of the move, pointing out that both Parsons and the Packers roster are still very young. But he drew a clear line between potential and proof.
“Are the Packers still one of the youngest teams in the NFL? Absolutely. Is Micah Parsons still a young player? Absolutely. These are things that you can grow and build upon — but when you’re saying they’re instant Super Bowl contenders? No, not so fast. I’m not going for that.”
Instead, Newton argued that before Green Bay can worry about the Eagles, they need to get past Detroit.
“They have to go through Detroit to be a threat to Philly.”
Recent History Matters
The Lions have won six of their last seven matchups against the Packers, including a sweep last season. Detroit also enters 2025 with one of the league’s most talented rosters, fresh off a 15-win campaign despite major defensive injuries.
Parsons will no doubt make Green Bay better. But Newton’s message is clear: until the Packers can solve their Detroit problem, they’re not ready to claim NFC supremacy.