Parsons: I'll 'give it my all' for Packers after trade
Micah Parsons is eager to once again let his play do the talking one day after the Green Bay Packers acquired him in a blockbuster deal.
Parsons doesn't believe the back issue that kept him from practicing with the Dallas Cowboys prior to Thursday's trade will keep him off the field to start the season.
"I think physically, I'm great. I can contribute a lot. We already talked about how we can ramp things up," Parsons told media Friday, according to team reporter Weston Hodkiewicz. "They didn't give up what they gave up for me to sit on the sidelines. ... I'm gonna give it my all."
Green Bay sent a 2026 first-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick, and defensive tackle Kenny Clark back to Dallas for the three-time All-Pro edge rusher. The Packers then signed Parsons to a four-year extension reportedly worth $188 million, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
The Penn State product found himself in a contract standoff with the Cowboys over an extension and requested a trade Aug. 1. Dallas owner and GM Jerry Jones believed he'd already reached a deal with Parsons after the two discussed an extension in March without Parsons' agent present.
Jones said Thursday that the Cowboys appreciated Parsons' contributions during his four years with the franchise, but suggested "what (Parsons) brought to us when he left could be a tremendous thing to our fans and our team," per the Forth Worth Star-Telegram's Nick Harris.
Parsons, the 12th overall pick in the 2021 draft, has exceeded all expectations ahead of his fifth pro campaign. He recorded at least 12 sacks in each of his previous four seasons while piling up 63 tackles for loss, nine forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries.
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said the Packers and Cowboys had the framework of a deal Wednesday, explaining that contacting the Cowboys "pretty early" was key to finalizing the trade, per ESPN's Rob Demovsky.
"A player like Micah, he's very unique and very rare that they're available. As this came together, it was a unique opportunity for us," Gutekunst said, per Hodkiewicz.
"This move was not just for this season. It's for multiple seasons," the GM added.
The Packers have assembled a roster that's firmly in the Super Bowl contender conversation entering the season. They've added Parsons to a stingy defensive core already featuring Rashan Gary, Edgerrin Cooper, and Xavier McKinney.
Gutekunst wouldn't say whether Parsons would dress for Green Bay's opener against the Detroit Lions. "We'll have a chance to get him out there Monday and see where he's at," Gutekunst said.
Parsons will switch from No. 11, which he's worn since college and throughout his NFL career so far, to No. 1. Wideout Jayden Reed currently wears No. 11 for the Packers.
Parsons won't have to wait long to see his old teammates with the Packers scheduled to visit AT&T Stadium on Sept. 28.