Micah Parsons Von Miller
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CBS Sports's Garrett Podell called the Green Bay Packers the ideal landing spot for veteran edge rusher Von Miller.
All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons hasn’t rule out returning for the 2026 season opener for the Green Bay Packers. But general manager Brian Gutekunst has suggested a more cautious approach, which could have Parsons sidelined until October. With that potentially the case, the Packers could benefit from adding additional edge rushing depth. On Friday, CBS Sports’s Garrett Podell suggested former All-Pro Von Miller.
Podell called the Packers the ideal landing spot for Miller in 2026 NFL free agency.
“Miller makes plenty of sense on the Packers, given Micah Parsons‘ situation. Parsons is recovering from a torn ACL,” Podell wrote. “Miller would be an ideal addition to hold down the fort at the edge rusher spot opposite former first-round pick Lukas Van Ness until Parsons gets back.
“Once he does, Miller could be a situational pass rusher for the Packers, a team whose +1500 odds to win the Super Bowl are the seventh-best in the NFL, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.”
Miller was one of the top edge rushers in the league during the 2010s with the Denver Broncos. During the decade, he made first-team All-Pro three times and second-team All-Pro four other seasons.
He also won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 2011 and Super Bowl MVP following the 2015 campaign.
Last season with the Washington Commanders, Miller posted nine sacks with six tackles for loss, and 15 quarterback hits in 17 games.
Over 14 NFL seasons, Miller has earned roughly $198.87 million according to Spotrac.
Why the Packers Could Pursue Edge Rusher Von Miller
The Packers bolstered their edge rushing room with the blockbuster deal for Parsons last August. But the team didn’t win a game last season after Parsons’s injury. During the skid, the Packers defense was a significant problem.
This offseason, Green Bay added edge rushers Brenton Cox Jr. and Arron Mosby on 1-year contracts. But the Packers lost veteran Kingsley Enagbare to NFL free agency and traded Rashan Gary to the Dallas Cowboys.
Miller would bring immediate credibility to an edge rushing group that could be without Parsons for the first few weeks.
Miller hasn’t been the same edge rusher since he missed the entire 2020 campaign because of an ankle injury. He hasn’t made even the Pro Bowl since then.
But Miller has continue to be a productive player in more of a complimentary role. He registered 9.5 sacks combined with the Broncos and Los Angeles Rams in 2021. Miller helped the Rams win the Super Bowl at the end of that season.
Miller also reached eight sacks with the Buffalo Bills in 2022 and then last season with the Commanders.
Spotrac projected Miller to be worth about $5.8 million on a 1-year contract.
When Will Micah Parsons Return for Packers?
While the Packers contemplate adding another edge rusher, Parsons continues to rehab from his torn ACL in Texas. Gutekunst provided a positive update on his recovery while speaking to reporters at the NFL’s annual league meeting this week. Gutekunst, though, didn’t provide a projected return date.
The general manager previously stated Parsons could miss three or four games to begin the 2026 campaign. However, an NFL rule change could lead to a sooner return for the edge rusher.
The league’s competition committee approved a change that will allow players on the PUP list to begin their 21-day practice period after Week 2 of the season. Under the previous rule, players on the PUP list to begin the regular season were required to miss at least four weeks.
In all likelihood, the Packers still aren’t going to rush back Parsons for Week 3. But he could return toward the end of September if he’s not fully ready to play in the season opener.