The Packers added a game-changing weapon and franchise-trajectory-altering force by acquiring All-Pro Micah Parsons in a blockbuster trade with the Dallas Cowboys.
How defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley winds up using Parsons, who has posted 52.5 sacks through his first four seasons and is fresh off a 70-pressure 2024 campaign is one of the biggest storylines as Gren Bay’s season-opener against the NFC North rival Lions looms.
How NFL Scouts, Analysts suggest the Packers use Micah Parsons
Packers
Nov 5, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back D’Andre Swift (0) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) and Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (2) at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Perhaps the attribute of Parsons’ skill set and track record that should spark the most optimism for the Packers is the fact that he finished last season with the third-highest pass-rush win rate across the NFL.
Those inside the league believe that if it ain’t broke, Hafley shouldn’t try to fix it, in terms of how Green Bay will likely deploy Parsons this season.
“I’d expect the Packers to use Micah the same way Dallas did,” an AFC scout told me. “But, Jeff Hafley may use him in space, too. He’s mainly going to be a pass rusher there.”
An added benefit of adding Parsons to Hafley’s defense, is his versatility and where he can be deployed at opposing quarterbacks.
ESPN NFL analyst Ben Solak believes Hafley will lean heavily into Parsons’ full repertoire as a rusher.
“Parsons fosters this sort of excitement because of his background as an off-ball linebacker,” Solak writes for ESPN. “But it didn’t really happen — he played 85% of his snaps off the edge, his highest rate of edge snaps in a season — and it won’t happen too often in Green Bay with these fronts, either. The point isn’t to place Parsons on the interior to stress protections. The point is to stress protections with the other guys to maximize Parsons on the edge.
“With that said — man, it is going to be cool when the Packers use him on the interior. It’s not nearly the lion’s share of his snaps, but Parsons is ridiculously effective as an interior rusher. Since entering the league, he has had a pass rush win rate at defensive tackle of 33.7% (admittedly on only 32 attempts). For perspective, Chris Jones over that stretch is at 19.6%.”
Green Bay Packers, Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys
Jan 5, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) celebrates after a sack during the first quarter against the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
While the Cowboys rarely deployed Parsons as a linebacker, playing off-ball was how he began his collegiate career at Penn State, before becoming a consensus first-team All-American.
It is entirely possible that Hafley will turn back the clock for Parsons and move him around both off the edge and standing up as a linebacker this season, making life particularly miserable for opposing offensive lines and quarterbacks.
Green Bay Packers, Micah Parsons
Green Bay Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons speaks during an introductory press conference on Friday, August 29, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers made a trade with the Dallas Cowboys on Aug. 28 to acquire Parsons in exchange for defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first round picks.
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
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