(Photo: ESPN)
I’ve been high on Micah Parsons since his college days with the Penn State Nittany Lions. The same energy he played with then is exactly what he has brought to the NFL, and it has made him a household name. When he was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 2021, Micah had an immediate impact, making his presence felt in his rookie season and earning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors that same year. This summer, he held out of camp and eventually requested a trade. On August 28, Micah was traded to the Green Bay Packers, where he was making the same kind of impact he did with Dallas. In yesterday’s game against the Denver Broncos, Micah landed awkwardly after making a move he’s executed many times throughout his career. Today, the news broke that he tore his ACL and will miss the remainder of the season.
Micah is one of the three best defensive players in the league today, and if I needed to sign a free-agent defender not named Myles Garrett or T.J. Watt, he would be my top choice. His impact speaks volumes, as he makes everyone around him better. It’s amazing how one player can step in and make such a difference. His goal is simple: create havoc for quarterbacks and offensive coordinators. In other words, he demands attention at all times—you have to know where he is on the field. The energy he brings is contagious and spreads to his teammates. Micah has the quickness of a running back off the edge and is sometimes in the backfield before blockers can even react. I respect his relentless motor and his ability to stay active without ever seeming to tire. Most EDGE defenders rely on one primary move, but Micah has an entire arsenal—whether it’s a dip underneath, an inside move, a classic bull rush, or pure speed. He attacks from multiple angles and in different ways. He can line up in the middle, rush off the edge, or drop back into coverage to defend the pass, constantly showcasing his versatility. For a player his size, running a 4.3-second 40-yard dash is remarkable. It’s the combination of speed, strength, power, and versatility that makes him such a dominant force.
I’m absolutely devastated for him, as he was a major reason the Green Bay Packers had one of the top five defenses in the league. Energy is contagious, and it was clear how much better he made the players around him. This injury is a huge blow for a Packers team that was looking to climb the ladder and make a deep playoff run in January. While the next man will have to step up, replacing a player of Micah’s caliber is never easy. I’m wishing him a speedy recovery and hope to see him back on the field soon.
