It’s hard not to connect what Brian Gutekunst did Thursday — trading for edge rusher Micah Parsons — to something the Green Bay Packers general manager said seven months ago.
This was the undisputed money quote from Gutekunst’s Jan. 17 news conference wrapping up the 2024 season:
“You always have some disappointments in the year. I think for me, the thing that’s been on my mind as we concluded this season is, we need to continue to ramp up our sense of urgency,” Gutekunst said. “These opportunities don’t come (often).
“The life of a player in the National Football League is not very long. We’ve got a bunch of good guys in that locker room, we’ve got a bunch of talented guys in that locker room, and I think it’s time we started competing for championships.
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“I think they’re ready.”
But Gutekunst apparently didn’t think the Packers were quite ready because he pulled the trigger on a blockbuster move to acquire Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys nine days before Green Bay kicks off the 2025 campaign by hosting the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field.
Here are some talking points on that move:
• The Packers gave up a lot to get Parsons — two first-round picks, plus veteran defensive Kenny Clark — but I don’t think that’s too much.
Parsons is one of the best defensive players in the NFL. It was going to take a big haul to pry him away from the Cowboys. Giving up premium draft picks isn’t a Packers thing to do, which is why I didn’t think there was much of a chance of the Packers being in the Parsons sweepstakes.
But when you have a chance to go get a difference-maker, go get him.
Parsons has produced at least 12 sacks in each of his four NFL seasons, with 52½ in all during that span. Green Bay, meanwhile, hasn’t had a player reach double figures in that category since Za’Darius Smith had 12½ in 2020.
There’s a lot of young talent on this defense. Adding Parsons gives it the potential to be one of the elite units in the NFL.
• All eyes will be on Parsons this season. But I’m curious what kind of impact having him on the field will have on Rashan Gary, who’s been underwhelming as a pass rusher
Maybe Gary gets less attention devoted to him and that drives up his sack total.
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• It’s hard to ignore the money part of this trade.
Not only did the Packers give up assets to get Parsons, they reportedly agreed to a four-year, $188 million contract with $120 million guaranteed.
There’s also a lot of dead cap space to eat after Kenny Clark’s departure.
What that means: Gutekunst’s ability to retain some of his core players going forward will be limited, and that absolutely was something to consider when making this move.
But it seems like a gamble that’s worth taking. The Packers had a chance to get a difference-maker, and they went out and got him.
Just like Gutekunst said seven months ago, it’s time for the Packers to start competing for championships. Parsons brings them closer to doing that.
jpolzin@madison.com
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