(Photo: GQ)
When I first watched Micah Parsons at Penn State, a few things came to mind. The first being that he was definitely pro-ready, and you could see it on tape with his motor and his ability to put pressure on both the offense and the coaching staff—making sure they knew where he was at all times. Penn State lined him up everywhere, from playing middle linebacker to edge rusher, and he played with the same intensity no matter where they had him. He entered the 2021 NFL Draft and fell to the Dallas Cowboys in the first round, at pick 12. In his rookie season, Micah made an immediate impact on the Cowboys’ defense and was named Defensive Rookie of the Year. This summer, rumors began heating up about him potentially suiting up for another team. Well, the news just hit: The Dallas Cowboys have agreed to trade Micah to the Green Bay Packers for Kenny Clark and two first-round picks.
When his head is in the game, Micah is one of the five best defensive players in the league, and his impact speaks volumes. He has one goal in mind: to wreak absolute havoc for quarterbacks and offensive coordinators—which is exactly what he did at Penn State. Having watched him over the years, the one word I often use to describe him is “energy.” He plays with a ton of it, and when you’re around someone like that, that energy rubs off on everyone around him. Energy is contagious in a good way, and Micah is the type of guy you’d rather play alongside than against. I know that for sure. Off the edge, he is as explosive as they come. Seeing someone run a 4.3 off the edge in real-time is something different. Micah is extremely agile and has a phenomenal change of direction, which makes him even more difficult to block because you never know which way he’s going. Let’s not forget that this is a 250-pound man moving with the quickness of a running back—moving at that weight is astonishing to me. What stands out about Micah’s game is that he uses more than one move to beat you. Whether it’s a power bull rush, pure speed, a dip under, or an inside move, he’s in the backfield disrupting the offense. Let’s also talk about his motor—this guy is always on the move, and he’s never tired! Going back to his movements, Micah is similar to a skill player. He knows how to avoid contact, he can run through you like a freight train, and he can make you miss. His elusiveness is truly unique. The way he plays through adversity is another thing to admire. When you’re the caliber of player he is, you’ll get held here and there, but he pushes through. You can’t help but admire a guy like that. I’ve always loved Micah’s versatility. He can impact the game from so many angles—whether it’s on the edge, in the middle of the defense, or even dropping back in coverage to defend the pass. There’s not a single weakness in his game, if you ask me.
It’s funny for me to say this, but this move gives me the same vibe I got when the Chicago Bears acquired Khalil Mack before the 2018 season. I can see Micah having that same impact on this Green Bay defense. For years, I’ve felt that the Packers’ defense has been holding them back, and last year they struggled significantly to get to the quarterback. Now, you insert an All-Pro, and this move significantly boosts the Packers’ chances—not just in the NFC North, but in the conference as a whole. I believe this could make them the biggest threat to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC. What a move for the Green and Gold.
