Confessions of a Polluted Mindset - Good Looking For-Micah
The Weekly Packers Brain Drain from Jersey Al.
By JerseyAl
So did you hear the Micah news? That's right, the Packers got Micah Robinson back on the Practice Squ... What? Oh, you want to hear about the other Micah! Well, it's actually been a full seven days since that minor Packers news broke. Like probably all of you, I spent a bunch of time poo-poohing all the reports from "sources" talking about the possibility of a trade to the Packers.
Wednesday evening is when I do the CheeseheadRadio podcast and in prep for the show I had written out a diatribe on the danger of giving up a bunch of draft picks and paying what would be sure to be a record-setting salary and risking falling back into salary cap hell. Not an hour later, the notification came across my phone - Micah Parsons traded to the Packers!. My first reaction was - come on, this is some fake news. I furiously scanned the internet for legit sports news reports and damn if it wasn't true! I wolfed down the rest of my dinner and headed back to the computer to delete everything I had just written. And then full details of the trade came in and I was actually more floored by seeing Kenny Clark's name included.
If I'm being honest, now that it has happened, do I care about the draft picks or the money? Not so much. Do I care that Kenny Clark had to be a part of the deal? Of course, but mostly because of how well he represented the Packers organization. As Gutey himself said, this was a special opportunity. How often has one of the best players in the game of football been traded at the young age of 26 with only four years in the league? If you have a name for me, leave it in a comment.
One more thing on Gutey - with the drafting of a first round WR and the trade for Parsons, the man has put his URGENCY money where his mouth is. Now IT IS TIME for the coaching staff to do the same and push these players to the heights they are capable of. That mostly means holding players accountable for uninspiring performances. No coddling, no making excuses, if you're not doing the job, give the next man up a chance. Send messages the best way you can - collecting splinters on the bench!
People like to make the "chess pieces" analogy when talking about coaches using players, so let's just say the Packers just got themselves another "queen." I say another, because I believe Edgerrin Cooper this season will earn "queen" status - players who will go anywhere and everywhere to capture the "king" - who happens to be holding a football.
Beyond watching Parsons play football in a Packers uniform (maybe this Sunday?), I can't wait for the next Jeff Hafley press conference so I can 1) hear him talk about Parsons and 2) see the huge smile on his face while doing it.
And it was right at this point of writing this post (~9PM EST) that I heard my cellphone ring and it's my daughter. It's unusual that she would be calling me at this time, so I knew something was up. Luckily it was nothing more serious than water dripping from some pipe related to the central air conditioning unit. Normally, I wouldn't get this call, but her husband was at a physical therapy appointment and her father-in-law who works in HVAC and would have been her first call, was out of the country. So I packed up some supplies and headed over to her house. Luckily turning off the air conditioning seemed to slow the dripping and eventually it stopped. Crisis averted and she will call a plumber.
Now I'm back at the keyboard but it's late and my whole train of thought has been derailed.
So I'll just end it here with these words of wisdom. The next time a twitter account with a dog avatar, a boob doctor, and the friend of someone who is a neighbor of a Cowboys physical therapist tell you the Cowboys are trading their best player to the Packers, believe it!
Oh, and sorry for the dad joke pun in the title. I can't help myself sometimes.
Go Pack Go! Beat the Lions!
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"Jersey Al" Bracco is the Editor-In-Chief, part owner and wearer of various hats for CheeseheadTV.com and PackersTalk.com. He's a lifetime Packers fan living in the land of the Giants (and Jets). Follow Al on twitter at @JerseyalGBP.
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Comments (76)
NickPerry
September 03, 2025 at 06:27 am
"I say another, because I believe Edgerrin Cooper this season will earn "queen" status - players who will go anywhere and everywhere to capture the "king" - who happens to be holding a football."
I'm right there with you Al. I think the addition of Parsons will make EVERYBODY better, but Cooper specifically will reap huge benefits. I was already all in on Cooper becoming the stud in Hafley's defense. Now with Parsons, this defense has a chance to be something truly special.
With the speed the Packers have on defense and Cooper, Walker, or both shooting the A-Gap, the Packers are about to start having parties at the QB when the meet him in the backfield!
DoubleJ
September 03, 2025 at 09:02 am
In a 4-3 look you can have Cooper, Walker, and Parsons at LB and then show Cooper and Parsons in the A-Gap. Talk about a nightmare decision for the OL and Offensive Coordinators.
RCPackerFan
September 03, 2025 at 11:57 am
I just put down on Wilde and Tausch that my bold prediction is that Cooper will be the DPOY!
I think he is absolutely going to go off this year. With Defenses now having to focus on Parsons, Cooper is absolutely going to flourish.
In some 3rd and long situations I could definitely see them bringing up Walker, Cooper in the A gap. With LVN shifted inside to DT, Parsons and Gary outside, and one DT. With the speed of Parsons, Walker and Cooper, offenses will have to operate fast. This could potentially be a lethal front. The possibilities are endless.
Boneman
September 03, 2025 at 06:41 am
Al, you're not the only one who had reservations about the draft picks and the money. Strange thing is, as soon as it became a done deal I transformed. Salary cap? Phooey!! The cap is there to be manipulated. If the Eagles can pay everybody under the sun and still compete then why not us? Draft picks? Sure I enjoy the draft but realistically how many more promising backup linemen do we need? I'm over the moon with excitement for this year and I'm here to tell you, we'll be competing for SB's for years! My bold prediction is that Love wins his first MVP and Packers win the whole damn thing!!! GPG!
BTW, the air conditioner almost certainly has a plugged drain hose. Simple fix, just detach and blow it out!
Cheezehead72
September 03, 2025 at 07:01 am
Al and many other fans I find it interesting that before the trade you were against giving up high draft picks and paying a record setting salary but now you all are ok with it because its done oh and I did not mention that they threw in Kenny. So what has changed? I guess you all change your opinion once the deal is done.
I disagree and I stand by my opinion that this is a bad deal. The Packers will suffer for making this deal. He has a sprained back. And now all these fans are making excuses why he will not be ready for the first part of the season and that they should limit his play. You do not give up that much for a guy that cannot play right away. This is like buying your dream sports car and not driving it right away.
Plus there is a good chance in two years he will do whatever he can to get more money.
This is one fan that will not change his opinion on this trade until Parson's and this coaching staff proves me wrong.
NickPerry
September 03, 2025 at 07:15 am
"Plus there is a good chance in two years he will do whatever he can to get more money."
Cheezehead 72... I respect your opinion on Parsons and I get it, you don't like the deal. But what would make you think in 2 years Parsons will try and get more money?
Cheezehead72
September 03, 2025 at 07:29 am
First I said there is a good chance. But you asked for it. Parsons is a player that seems to put himself ahead of the team. Don't get me wrong I am all for players getting the most they can while they can but once you sign a contract you need to live up to it.
I will not be surprised if that happens. But even without that this trade was a bad idea and the Packers will suffer.
But that is just my opinion.
SicSemperTyrannis
September 03, 2025 at 07:50 am
Clearly you have not looked at his contract, nor contracts league wide. It is teams baling on contracts, not players. And if anybody's looking to renegotiate after a few years it will GB, not Micah Parsons.
Right now it's not even a matter of no guts no glory and if this deal's a bust it will cost Gutey his job, MP's cap hit this season is only $10MM.
DoubleJ
September 03, 2025 at 09:36 am
The cap is going up by like $20M/year and before Parsons' contract explodes in 2028 the league will have a new TV contract. If we count this out over the years we see that the cap will be about $40M higher than today in 2027 or about $320M. The new TV contract might make the cap upwards of $360M in 2028 so those big salaries are a lot easier to handle.
davekenya
September 03, 2025 at 12:44 pm
I read into many people's comments that when the salary cap goes up in a few years, this will benefit GB and allow them to either: retain players going off their (current rookie) contracts, (re)negotiate salaries to stay under the cap, or redo contracts and push players' salaries out into the future where there's more cap to absorb the increases. All true.
However, GB doesn't have the cap increase 'advantage' to themselves. Every other team in the league will also benefit from having more money...and those same teams will be able, if they want, to target GB players with these same extra cap dollars and offer more enticing contracts. So...GB does not gain any advantage over any other team when the cap grows...nor does it gain any advantage in (redoing/extending/offering new 2nd) contracts that other teams don't just as equally gain. 'Handling those big salaries gets easier' is true in a vacuum, but there are 31 other teams out there looking to use their 'extra' cap dollars to improve their teams too. GB also does not lose any cap growth advantage. A rising tide raises all boats, not just GB's boat...
Coldworld
September 03, 2025 at 04:28 pm
There’s days the reality is that the cost of players now anticipates a cap increase, rather than following one, adding extra stress beforehand.
Guam
September 03, 2025 at 07:52 am
I'm fine with your opinion on the deal. It is unquestionably a high risk, high reward proposition. Parsons with a long term injury would be a disaster for the Packers. He could also bring a Lombardi back to Green Bay. Gute rolled the dice and I can live with that.
The one point I don't get is "in two years he will do whatever he can to get more money". I have never seen any public or private indication that Parsons is a diva or selfish headcase. He is a consistent all pro player who was negotiating his second contract with Dallas. He earned a big contract and Dallas chose not to pay him and traded him instead. Jerry Jones' choices do not make Parsons a diva.
Coldworld
September 03, 2025 at 09:02 am
I am uncomfortable with this deal, but not specifically because of Parsons ability, or his personality for that matter. Nor am I opposed to the risk conceptually. We have been bumbling along being pretty good but not great for some years. At some point taking a chance to be really good is better than continual respectable but ultimately futile performance.
My doubts come from the fact that I thought our D (with Kenny Clark) was likely to be more than adequate and that our rush ought to be better with a healthy Enagbare and Cox and, who knows, even Van Ness emerging. It was last year and Clark back at NT seemed a better use of him.
Now our rush should be better, but I have real doubts over the rational grounding for the faith in Wooden to replace Clark adequately. From afterthought to a 300 pound run NT who can hold up through a season after a position change is a dubiously realistic proposition.
Add the fact that there are no other genuinely good run players (or even big ones) on the roster except Stackhouse. While I like Stackhouse a lot, it’s a bit early to count on him. Brinson is not a run specialist and has to learn, as the preseason clearly showed). We don’t have to go back too far to remember what a team that can be run on consistently goes through. Death by clock dominance through inability to get off the field.
So doubts about the D post Kenny, but the real question in my mind was not the D previously, but the O. We are blessed with a proven RB trio, we now have Golden to add to Doubs and, hopefully, Reed. Behind that is inexperience or players with a need to dramatically improve their catching.
However, we also have an offense that is wildly inconsistent and has continually failed to take advantage of intermediate depth. It is based on run or, too often near lateral passes and predicated on going deep regularly. Despite the laterals, LaFleur’s O has regularly been at the top of the average depth of target. In short we rely on slower developing routes and lower percentage throws. The result is boom:bust, and too often it’s taken us half the game to get going. That’s despite a running attack that ground yards after contact at a near incredible rate.
So my doubts aren’t whether Parsons can elevate our rush. He can and it’s churlish to deny it. It’s about whether the interior can hold up well enough to bring pass rush into full relevancy and, most particularly, whether we have an offensive coach who can deliver consistent points and maintain possession long enough to make the pass rush really count.
Last year, without Parsons, I would argue the D mostly did. LaFleur’s tactics, offensive design and execution in the passing game did not. Parsons won’t change that. He may lower the points bar a little, but to win against the best teams LaFleur has got to show he’s capable of a consistent scoring O. By doing so and especially with good starts, that takes pressure off our run D and unleashes Parsons to deliver his full potential.
Can LaFleur do that? If he can’t then this should be his last chance and we need to find a coach who can design and call an O that is consistent enough to let our D make a difference and make the cost of Parsons worth incurring.
greengold
September 03, 2025 at 09:28 am
"My doubts come from the fact that I thought our D (with Kenny Clark) was likely to be more than adequate..."
No. No. NO...!!!!! This trade completely changes the game for the Packers.
Kenny Clark was not going to get better. He's actually become less effective over the last few seasons. So much so, that I really didn't see him being a part of our 53 a couple of months ago. I know he played injured, etc... The bigger point to me was his play slipped the more he got paid. That's just my opinion.
I understand the history of his use too. Gutekunst failed to give him relief, and Mike Pettine/Joe Barry moved him out of his most effective position, which was NT. Regardless, Clark's 70-80 snaps/game on a consistent basis to start his career took its toll.
I do like the idea of moving on from Clark, and giving Wyatt, Wooden, Stackhouse, Brooks and Brinson more snaps. Out with the old. In with the new. Every one of those players can move over to NT for snaps at any given moment. The Rams Super Bowl winning NT, Greg Gaines, was 6-1 312...
As for the O, Gutekunst (and LaFleur) failed to follow through with providing OL upgrades after adding Josh Jacobs to the Packers roster. Yeah, he drafted Morgan R1 last year... and, the coaching staff moved him to OG. Gutekunst didn't draft Jordan Morgan to be a G. Keeping Myers was a known problem last season.
All of that is changing... and, I'm here for it. Btw, it's kind of churlish of you to be using the word, "churlish." And, and, and don't go giving me any of your obdurate BS in response either. All in fun.
Coldworld
September 03, 2025 at 04:33 pm
I’m aware of the difference between Clark and Parsons. One is very good, one has been superb. I’m also aware Kenny was quite possibly in his last year here for Cap reasons. I think you missed the point I was trying to make if that was your take away.
Guam
September 03, 2025 at 09:36 am
I share some of your concerns about Wooden and the run defense. However Cooper's development at LB and Parsons ability to play some LB ease my mind a bit about having a gaping hole in the middle. I think the Packer's run D will take a step back from last year but will be okay. That said, this defense is clearly designed to play with a lead.
That puts a heavy weight on the offense. Will MLF and Love be up to the challenge - I don't know. I like the Packer rushing attack which should be even a bit better this year with an improved (i.e. no Myers) O-line. However the passing game (both design and execution) is my concern. Can LaFleur design guys open and can Love consistently be accurate - those questions remain unanswered for me.
The Parsons deal will only be worth it if the Packers bring home the Lombardi trophy soon. And Parson may have less to do with it than LaFleur and Love.
dobber
September 03, 2025 at 02:59 pm
"I think the Packer's run D will take a step back from last year but will be okay. "
I think this is a defense that needs to play even more aggressively than a year ago with its front 7. They'll need to shoot gaps with their LBs. The DTs are likely to be playing more upfield--yes they'll get gouged from time to time, but they'll also make plays in the backfield on run plays and will get more inside pressure on the QB on early down pass plays. If Hafley just tries to just plug new players into old holes, I think we'll be disappointed with the outcome.
"That said, this defense is clearly designed to play with a lead."
Definitely.
Coldworld
September 03, 2025 at 04:40 pm
That appears to be the challenge. Wooden is not Kenny. Stackhouse can be Slaton, better hopefully, but it will take time.
Absent Kenny, you are right, the ILBs are going to need to be used much more offensively and consistently so. That means hoping they make the right reads more. It also means personnel: Hopper needs to be blooded earlier and more often. Safe ILB play likely won’t cut it unless Stackhouse turns into a very big swan unreasonably quickly.
Get ahead and the equation changes and Wooden’s burst could become a factor, which, as ever? Leads us back to the O performing ….
stockholder
September 03, 2025 at 09:54 am
I never saw the coaching as a problem.
You constantly do.
Inspiration is what Parson brings.
Don't change the atmosphere.
LambeauPlain
September 03, 2025 at 11:04 am
Without Clark, the run defense will be porous, CW?
Maybe. I believe it is more probable the run D will be better because of the supercharged Front 7. The LB corps behind the Dline will be even better than last year...all veterans with speed and talent to get to the ball and tackle, run or pass.
I agree pressure will be on LaFleur to make the Offense go. But that has nothing to do with Parsons addition to an already good Defense to potentially make it a great D. And a great Defense has real potential to help carry the O through tough matchups on O.
And when the O and D play complementary football...look out.
Guam
September 03, 2025 at 11:46 am
If it were just Clark and the Packers still had Slaton, I would be okay. But both of the Packer's primary run stuffers are gone now. Wooden and Stackhouse need to step up in a significant way.
Coldworld
September 03, 2025 at 05:10 pm
I think we are coming from the same position. This trade needed to be done. It is worth a leap of faith to get a truly exceptional player. I wish, however, we had taken a NT earlier in this very deep draft or retained Slaton. The idea that you can replace Slaton and Kenny with a 300 pounder as many pundits seem to have swallowed is so astonishing that it has probably inflamed my concerns.
I did and do like Stackhouse and his film. I just wish he was the second NT type taken (no, talking heads, Brinson is not a NT and never has been and will have to learn to be better in the run game as a 3T too). More specifically, that we had gone for one of a number of NTs who could play both roles already. That second round pick had some options in hindsight that could have made a big difference.
I hope this doesn’t bite us hard enough to undermine this opportunity and I hope the team are savvier than a lot of the pundits who are proclaiming Wooden as the solution so blithely. On passing downs he may be. In the run game we need a more nuanced successful work around to compensate.
TXCHEESE
September 03, 2025 at 07:53 am
"This is like buying your dream sports car and not driving it right away." This is like taking that sports car and breaking it in a bit, before running it hard. Parsons has missing pretty much all of preseason. The worst thing they can do is throw him out there for 80% of the plays and risk a soft tissue injury and have him sidelined for 6+ weeks.
Be smart with him. Let him get in on the pass rush on obvious passing downs, maybe for even the first couple of games. Get him in game shape and get him familiar with the defensive scheme, before full integration. It's not like we're missing pieces. We still have LVN, Enegbare, and Cox.
dobber
September 03, 2025 at 08:12 am
Shhh....common sense doesn't fly around here.
Cheezehead72
September 03, 2025 at 08:12 am
I don't spend that much money to buy a car and not use it. I really do not spend that much money on a car that is broke. This is exactly what the Packers did. He has a back sprain. Back problems linger and you never know when it will get better.
We are missing a piece it is Kenny. We got rid of two run stuffers and picked up one.
DoubleJ
September 03, 2025 at 09:16 am
First the Packers have one of the most conservative medical teams in the NFL. They wouldn't have signed off on Parsons if he was extremely hurt and this could linger for years. Second Parsons didn't practice with the Cowboys so he isn't in football shape so you cannot just throw him out there and go and play 50 snaps on week 1. Third Parsons has had the playbook for a week and won't know the calls so he cannot be out there for 50 snaps on week 1. Yes we got rid of Kenny but he was declining. Last year his overall PFF grade was 59.3 which is average and his run D grade was 57 something which is slightly below average. Parsons is a MUCH better player than Kenny AND he is only 26. Parson will play on obvious passing downs and probably get like 20 snaps. Oh FYI there was an MD who made a comment on Twitter about seeing Parsons doing some movements during the Packers practice. He said that if the back was an actual issue the bend and explosion done in practice is the worst possible thing for that condition on the L4/5. Parsons did it easily which means it isn't an issue.
Coldworld
September 03, 2025 at 09:19 am
I want Parsons healthy. If he’s not, he won’t be at his best and there is a good chance he will not get to his best for longer or, possibly at all if he aggravates it or gets an injury from not being fully conditioned.
If that means a low usage or even no usage to start then that’s what it has to be. To do otherwise would be to crash the new sports car before you get home and have it in the shop till next summer.
WestCoastPackerBacker
September 03, 2025 at 12:26 pm
Did you watch the clip of him practicing? If you watch how he hit the sled and move it, it would be obvious that this is not a serious back injury. If it was, he would’ve either not done that maneuver or would’ve winced in pain when he did.
barutanseijin
September 03, 2025 at 08:56 am
What’s changed, CH72, is that it has been done. All your sputtering will never change that.
One either accepts the new reality because cheering on the Packers is what a fan does, or, if one is a fan of accounting or an obsessive draft nerd, ones continues to lament the picks and the money. Surely there is a team whose draft pick hoard and cap numbers are more attractive. Perhaps you could follow them.
Bitternotsour
September 03, 2025 at 09:40 am
The NFL and by extension the Green Bay Packers are an entertainment product. Are we not entertained?
The bitch and moan contingent will bitch and moan. I'm excited. I'm glad to see Gutekunst try to park one in the upper deck, my favorite Brewers teams were Bambi's bombers and even though I appreciate the current group, nickel and dime baseball isn't my favorite entertainment. I recall Ron Wolf trading a first-round pick for a guy who drank himself out of Atlanta and didn't know what a nickel defense was, that seemed to have worked out.
So, now we see. Is the coach up to the task? Who knows, but by god it will be entertaining.
dobber
September 03, 2025 at 02:49 pm
Agreed: Being happy with the uber blue chip player and unhappy with the price paid can coexist.
LambeauPlain
September 03, 2025 at 10:34 am
I respect your opinion CH72 and we have had good discussions for a long time. I quite often agree with your opinions but on Parsons I am waving at you on the other side of the 180 degree straight angle.
You seem adamant to want to be proven right. Schadenfreude for you to start the Packer 2025 Season, it guess.
What gnaws at you in particular about this deal? The money? The cap account getting drained? The Parson's back strain? That Parson's will become a money grubbing malcontent? Because those risks need to be juxtaposed to the expected ROI.
Of all teams in the NFL, the Packers have the easiest access to capital thanks to their rock solid balance sheet and no internal squabbles about the family gold. So money is not an issue with me.
The Packers will have to extend, re-sign, trade or release half the current roster over the next two years. This impact on the cap was coming with or without Parsons. Gutey has been leading a youth movement on the Roster for 3 years...so now many first contracts are up for review.
They are again the youngest team in the NFL for the third year in a row. The Packers were always going to lose several players by 2027. With the Parsons deal they will now lose a few more.
How many additional players lost equals the value of Parsons' unique game changing production and synergies to field most impressive front 7 since the Schumer days. 3 or 4 players? Could be...so perhaps the Packers will CONTINUE to be the youngest team in the NFL. The cap account will need to be rebuilt...again. It wasn't too painful the last time. The cap can be managed.
Parsons back is a simple sprain at the L5-L6 joint...last two vertebrae in the spine. It is not a ruptured disc. Not back spasms. No bone damage. It is an inflamed joint that will heal and expect has been healing for several weeks. Sprains almost always do with good care. Looks like Parsons has had good care based on his on field practice work.
Many PT, chiropractic treatments and even judicious use cortisone injections are available. The Packers even flew Parsons to the West Coast to be diagnosed by some of the best back/spine specialists on the globe. Thumbs up.
Parsons the malcontent money grubber? Yeah, could happen. Packers have experience dealing with this issue should it surface (#12). Parsons character seems solid to me...especially the part about winning a Lombardi. His performance as an employee has been off the charts. Not an issue now. So don't play the "what if" game unless it happens.
I do not see any poison pills amongst money, the cap account, a minor back sprain or Parsons being a malcontent to keep the Packers from going for one of the best players in the NFL.
I am looking forward to this season and the Packers Defense proving you wrong about Parsons!
(apologies for the long post)
davekenya
September 03, 2025 at 12:59 pm
I was thinking the same thing as CH72 said in his first paragraph. Why should a person's opinion change simply b/c her/his team shifted gears and did something different. The exact same reasons and rationale that were in place for having an original opinion for/against a trade would apply after (a trade) was made. (The ''If I'm being honest, now that it has happened, do I care about the draft picks or the money? Not so much.' part).
I think of my sister in law who got divorced. She gushed for years about all these wonderful things her hubby did. Once divorced, she now looks negatively at these same things. What changed about those actual events and what he did? Nada. It was revisionist history.
On the other hand, if the trade package was so much lower that one's original opinion...and cap hit more palatable than originally thought it would be (the 'risking falling back into salary cap hell' part)...these would be legit reasons to not publish the original column piece or better yet IMHO) publish much of the original piece with one's rationale (stick to your guns) but include edits/changes ('however, now in looking at the deal, it's more palatable b/c...xyz...and I've now tipped to supporting the trade' kind of talk). This would let readers look at both sides of the coin and understand what ultimately 'made the difference' between a 'no go' and a 'go'.
Ferrari-Driver
September 03, 2025 at 07:49 pm
Cheezehead72 Quote: "This is like buying your dream sports car and not driving it right away."
I'm not so sure. I married my wife in June of 1969 and I was finally clear of my college debts and making a few bucks so I ordered a new Corvette Stingray which was to be delivered in April to take on our honeymoon. This happened while the car was on the assembly line:
"The strike: The action at the St. Louis plant, which began in April 1969 and lasted until June 1969, caused a major disruption to the Corvette's normal production schedule." I didn't get the car until September of '69
Resulting in taking my old car with no air conditioning to Las Vegas for the Honeymoon. Within a week, she hated me and I didn't much care. Riding around in Nevada and California in the June heat almost ended a marriage. However, we did weather the storm and just passed our 56th anniversary. Lucky me.
GregC
September 03, 2025 at 07:11 am
I was also floored when I read that Kenny Clark was part of the trade. I would've expected Rashan Gary or Lukas Van Ness. It hurts to lose Clark, but he was going to be gone after this year anyway. Maybe he has a better chance of getting a contract extension with the Cowboys, but who knows? I think this trade is a s#*t sandwich for Kenny, being used as a pawn at this point in his career. I hope I'm wrong and that he is happy in Dallas and gets a fourth contract there.
I did not like the idea of a Parsons trade because I assumed it would be a Herschel Walker type deal. The Vikings traded away three first-round picks AND three second-round picks for Walker. There were a lot of other pieces, but that was the gist of it. By comparison, two first-round picks and Kenny Clark seems like a bargain for Micah Parsons.
I looked at Jimmy Johnson's draft value chart, and the 12th overall pick, where Parsons was drafted, is worth 1,200, while the Packers usually draft around 25th, which is worth 720 (times two is 1,440). So even if you look at it that way, the trade value is in the ballpark, but of course Parsons has far outplayed his draft status, and even more importantly, he is a proven NFL player who is just coming into his prime, whereas draft picks are just lottery tickets. So I think this trade was a great value for the Packers, even with Kenny Clark thrown in.
The contract is the harder part to swallow, but when you have big-time players, you have to pay them. It is a gamble to commit so much capital to one player, but it is also a gamble to try winning a Super Bowl by hitting on enough draft picks to get you a title before you have to pay them the big bucks. I'm fine with the Packers trying something different. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I'm glad Gutey did not pass it up, and in fact, he aggressively pursued it.
DoubleJ
September 03, 2025 at 09:19 am
" Maybe he has a better chance of getting a contract extension with the Cowboys, but who knows?"
Kenny just signed an extension before last season and it goes through 2027.
GregC
September 03, 2025 at 11:32 am
Like most 2nd or 3rd contracts, there was not much chance that this one would stay in place for the duration. The Packers were going to take a $17 million cap hit with Kenny Clark next year, which they probably would not have been willing to do. It's not nearly as bad for the Cowboys because the Packers will be eating a lot of that contract even now that he's gone. However, the Cowboys could easily cut him after this season if they want to bring in a new DT.
stockholder
September 03, 2025 at 07:13 am
Seeker- I believe thats a name that fits.
You're always looking for the truth.
While most just look for a player to Love.
Parsons brings immediate gratification.
And while you point Cooper as a Queen.
I doubt the coaching staff is expecting
him to be one.
A True Queen was Kenny Clark.
So the Pawns up front must do the job.
(For any championship team.)
The Game must be won in the trench!
What sticks out now is who can take his place.
The debate between a chess match and pieces,
sounds great.
But the battle Cry for years was; Get Clark help!
If you're looking at urgency.
Gute got us players to Love.
But still over estimated the DL.
The splinters might end up
in that group first.
greengold
September 03, 2025 at 07:30 am
Say that URGENCY part again… yeah, where the coaches emphasize accountability.
Well said, Al.
IT IS TIME. Emphasis upon the coaching staff in all of this - actually achieving our ultimate goal in bringing that Lombardi Trophy home in February - by coaching their players to new heights is spot freaking ON!
Not unlike Kevin Greene using those very words to inspire Clay Matthews to work his turnover magic in Super Bowl XLV - to close the deal.
I feel that this might be one of the most talented Packer teams assembled in well over a decade. Gutekunst has been adding game wreckers on D with X, Cooper and now Micah Parsons. But, others now get their shots to become known as such.
The entire Packer team now must close the deal.
SicSemperTyrannis
September 03, 2025 at 07:58 am
Good to see you -
also
MICAH FREAKING PARSONS!!
greengold
September 03, 2025 at 08:58 am
Thanks, and likewise, Sic!
MICAH FREAKING PARSONS!!! I went through same stuff Al was describing, friends hitting me up from West coast, NY, bip bipbip... What did I think about that trade actually happening? "Not gonna happen!"
And then, BOING! Kind of like that Playboy bunny flying through that kid's bedroom window in Animal House.
"THANK YOU, GOD!"
They did WHAT?!! Hat's off to Brian Gutekunst and his staff on that one. He was on it. Opportunistic AF. A Championship Belt winning performance right there if I've ever seen one in player procurement.
PhantomII
September 03, 2025 at 09:09 pm
I was hoping for a WR #1 also in Terry Mclauren from Washington....now that would have been even sweeter....
If our WR's keep dropping balls...I would run their butts into the ground. In baseball we had to run every missed pitch...then go right to the front of the line...baseballs looking like beach balls and concentration so fixed...I don't remember blinking....LOL. That shit works...GPG
Cheezehead72
September 03, 2025 at 07:37 am
2023 wildcard playoff game Packers verses Cowboys. Parsons had one solo tackle and one QB hurry. The Packers were winning 27 to 7 at halftime. They took their foot off the gas the second half and still won. They scored 48 points.
SicSemperTyrannis
September 03, 2025 at 08:02 am
You're saying that JL10 at his best is REALLY freaking good.
Yes he is!
Also, a stellar defense helps any QB play their best.
Will our defense be stellar this season? I dunno, but I look forward to watching it and it'll be better for the addition of #1.
GPG!!
Guam
September 03, 2025 at 08:07 am
Parsons has been all pro three of his four seasons in the league and a pro bowler all four of his seasons in the league.
I know you don't like the deal, but really? Picking one game in his four year career to try to make a point. His CAREER has been stellar to date.
Attack the contract and the two first round draft choices or the purported injury all you want, but you are really reaching with this point.
dobber
September 03, 2025 at 08:24 am
Thanks for cherry-picking a game where the Packers buzz-sawed and gobsmacked the Doughboys who made a crap-ton of offensive mistakes.
I hope this fits your ongoing and tired narrative well.
DoubleJ
September 03, 2025 at 09:24 am
Outside of Parsons the Cowboys DL was suspect at best. They didn't have anyone else on the pass rush that really struck fear into you so Parsons was double teamed or chipped every play. Gary is FAR better player than anyone else Parsons has played with along the DL.
BuckyBadger
September 03, 2025 at 08:00 am
Want a name of a pass rusher being traded after just 4 years in the league? Jaren Allen. He played for KC for 4 years and was traded to the Vikings for a 1st and two 3rds. I would say the Vikings got the better of that trade. They didn't win a Super Bowl but they got a HOF player.
packerbackerjim
September 03, 2025 at 08:25 am
I hated that hillbilly but he was a great player, a thorn in GB’s side and well worth the picks.
DoubleJ
September 03, 2025 at 09:32 am
That ended up really good for the Vikings. Allen had 43 career sacks, 56 TFLs, 14 forced fumbles, and 39 QB hits (became a stat in 2006 so that is incomplete) when he was traded. Parsons has 52.5 sacks, 63 TFLs, 9 forced fumbles, and 112 QB hits. Overall Parsons' stat sheet is superior to Allen which is why it took a bit more to get him than Allen. Now if Parsons has a career like Allen that will be awesome.
JerseyAl
September 03, 2025 at 01:10 pm
excellent comparison. He was traded after having a 15 sack season for KC!
NFLfan
September 03, 2025 at 08:04 am
Kenny didn't produce last year. Seems he had a bunion and bone spur, both of which are easily 'fixable' and should have been operated on early in the previous off-season. He let the team down. An X-ray and visit to a Podiatrist would have shown him what was up. Bunions don't show up over night. Instead all we continually heard was how the poor guy had a broken or 'turf' toe that he was 'bravely battling through.' That was deceptive.
LeotisHarris
September 03, 2025 at 03:06 pm
This is good information to have. I wish you'd mentioned it before now because I'm pretty sure while bunions are illegal in Texas, anyone can work as a podiatrist regardless of qualifications.
NFLfan
September 03, 2025 at 08:13 am
Hafley, his coaches and most (LVN, Q Walker, Wyatt ???) of his players are not the problem.
It is the Offensive side of the ball; MLF and many of his coaches who are holding the Packers back.
Forgot--let's include the perennial 'unfixable' ST's
BuckyBadger
September 03, 2025 at 08:20 am
Can't say I was floored about the trade, surprised a little yes but the moment the rumors started to swirl the deal made sense on both sides. Giving up the picks hurts a little but one of those picks was probably going to be a pass rusher and the chances of them hitting on that pick was probably 50/50 at best. These were not going to be top 10 picks. I wasn't surprised about Clark. He was just coming off his worse year and his injury issues probably weren't going to get better as he ages. I was thinking it would be Gary so Dallas would get a pass rusher and they would run with Parsons and LVN who is cheaper. This leads me to think if LVN balls out if Gary couldn't be moved mid season for DT help. Running with 3 pass rushers isn't such a bad idea either, worked for the NYG a couple of times.
greengold
September 03, 2025 at 09:05 am
I was stunned, and I still am. Can't believe Green Bay's good fortune in landing Micah Parsons on their team.
Still, Kingsley Enagbare and Brenton Cox Jr. are no slouches. Gary's gonna have to pump up the jams a little more.
LeotisHarris
September 03, 2025 at 08:37 am
I did not expect this trade, and sure didn't figure Kenny Clark would be part of the package. Now, with some reflection I think it was a good move that made the Packers a better team.
As far as trades, Al, Eric Dickerson from the Rams to the Colts in 1987 was pretty big. Dickerson was the reigning NFL rushing leader and only 27 years old. Not sure on specifics, but it was a three-team deal with 10 players involved.
greengold
September 03, 2025 at 10:50 am
Nice pull, Leotis! That's going back a bit... Man, what a RB.
JerseyAl
September 03, 2025 at 01:13 pm
good one.
Zapato
September 03, 2025 at 08:47 am
I didn't expect the Micah Parsons trade to happen either. I thought it was just noise. Then, I too had to scour the Internet for legit sources of information on the trade. Losing Kenny Clark does hurt a bit, but I'm not too worried about giving up a couple of 1st round picks. Let's face it, the 1st round is not Gute's forte. He does better in the mid-rounds.
Who gets better because of this trade? Maybe Cooper, but I think Rashan Gary gets a big boost since he'll be facing fewer double teams. In fact, I'd put Gary on notice that this is the year he needs to produce double-digit sacks.
I am worried about the interior of the defensive line. I don't think Colby Wooden is going to be a stalwart run stuffer. Or do we rely on Brinson or Stackhouse to develop really fast? Maybe there's a player to be named later wandering around out there to be picked up before the trade deadline.
RCPackerFan
September 03, 2025 at 08:52 am
"- Micah Parsons traded to the Packers!. My first reaction was - come on, this is some fake news."
I opened X/Twitter exactly when this trade went down, and I saw the post by Ian Rappaport. I looked at the thing for what felt like an eternity to see if it was a real post or fake one. Then seconds later I refreshed and saw it from Schefter and others. I copied it and texted my cousin the news and his first response, is that real? I said yes, happy birthday lol.
"If I'm being honest, now that it has happened, do I care about the draft picks or the money? Not so much. Do I care that Kenny Clark had to be a part of the deal? Of course, but mostly because of how well he represented the Packers organization."
This part does honestly gut me. Kenny was one of my favorites on the team. He embodies what it is to be a Packers player. He was Thompsons last first round pick. Thompsons last draft he traded out of the first round. So Clark was his last 1st round pick. He was also the last player on GB's roster from the Thompson era.
Clark always was a special draft pick for me as well as I spent countless hours figuring out how Thompson drafted. I absolutely nailed the Clark pick. At the time most people were picking Myles Jack to be the guy. And when I started looking at Jack's film Clark kept jumping off the screen. He showed up every time. I started looking into him, and I thought that was Thompsons guy. Draft comes and they took Clark.
I will definitely miss Clark! That being said this is a homerun trade. They are getting an absolute star for the defense. Someone that forces teams to adjust their plans to. To me this is a steal of a trade. They gave up 2 first round picks. Which is not nothing. But what are the odds of you getting an all pro player in the lower range of the draft? Its not often. TJ Watt. That is about the only one I have found.
I can't help to think what this does for the other players on the team. What this does for Gary, LVN, Cooper, Walker. And then guys like McKinney and Williams back deep. This defense just got scary good! They were top 10 last year. And now they added an all pro player.
Lets F'n go!!!
Starrbrite
September 03, 2025 at 10:01 am
Well, count me as one who believed the Parsons trade could happen. You may recall my adnauseam posts for acquiring Garrett and/or Hendrickson; I actually believed we might pull off a trade for Garrett when that scuttlebutt was happening; I’m happier it’s Parsons.
I also predicted the ever-worrying cap ranters would suddenly chill if we attained a game-changing player, although I realize y’all soon appear from your foxholes and begin again.
I’ve been attempting to find a comparison for Parsons—Junior Seau comes to mind; Parsons might be better…?
In the meantime, I’m basking in the sunlight of a potential SB and smiling as the Vikings, Bears, and Lions are scratching their cement heads.
It’s our time!
Go Packers!!!
crayzpackfan
September 03, 2025 at 04:41 pm
I see a lot of similarity to an in his prime Derrick Thomas to Parson's.
Starrbrite
September 03, 2025 at 06:19 pm
Crazy—good comparison—I also had him in my list.
Coldworld
September 03, 2025 at 11:49 am
Vanishing comments today?
LambeauPlain
September 03, 2025 at 01:10 pm
I had this issue too...then I found my cause the vanishing comments.
At the top of the comments section is "COMMENTS" followed by a button you can click for "fan friendly version".
If that option is clicked on, you will lose comments. When I turned it off, all the comments were again available. I must have clicked it on in error. I don't know how CHTV decides what is "fan friendly" vs unworthy friendly comments. But this worked me to end the vanishing.
Coldworld
September 03, 2025 at 04:55 pm
Thank you. Must have hit that accidentally. Many thanks for pointing me in the right direction. It returned what I think is the most interesting discussion.
I must admit that I thought “fan friendly” meant free of junk, not postings that express doubt about how wonderful the team is.
Absolutely stunned that exchanged was flagged by someone. I don’t have to agree with you or you with me, but I don’t just want to read opinions that I agree with either.
I seem to be in a middle position on that particular debate, but I saw no improper behavior, just opinions. I could go to the team website if I wanted to avoid anything critical or debate anything on merit. Sorry Al. Shocked by that.
Ray L 1122
September 03, 2025 at 02:35 pm
Packers have to win a SB for this trade to payoff considering the draft capital and salary cap impact. BG's tenor will be defined by this trade.
It's the coaching staff that needs to be held accountable. Sloppy play, penalties, missed converages, and special team lapses are on them. JL will aslo need to take the next step for the Packers to win the SB.
As for other trades, Steve Young was traded to the 49ers after two years in Tampa.
HarryHodag
September 03, 2025 at 02:59 pm
The trade puts the Packers on par with at least two, and maybe three, NFC North teams. Lest we forget, the Packers were a fingernail away from going 0-6 in the division, losing to the Bears at home for goodness sake.
While all games are important, the Packers MUST go 4-2 in the division this year to win the North and that is no easy task. If they go 6-5 the rest of the way it's 10 wins, probably not enough to win the division but possibly make the playoffs. if they go 7-4 the rest of the way they likely are right there for the division. But without the NFC North wins, it could be curtains.
Parsons won't win it by himself. But he gives the Pack a much better chance against the NFC North rival.s and that is key to the post season.
10thArmored
September 03, 2025 at 03:07 pm
Well it's finally time for rubber to meet the road. I'm happy beyond measure that we have Parsons but Detroit and other teams now are likely to try to smash us in the mouth with their rushing attack, especially knowing Kenny Clark is gone and we have a questionable interior DL/NT. Key to our defensive success this year now shifts to requiring a breakout by Wyatt and and Wooden with respect to their run grades. The pass rush will no longer be a liability. Pack the Kitties back to Detroit with tails between legs. GPG
Qoojo
September 03, 2025 at 04:42 pm
Al's description is how it hit me as well. I was more focused on losing Clark, who pretty much was a model player. Then to go to the Jerry world dumpster. Yikes. Poor Clark. He now knows he will never win a superbowl.
The money and junk, I don't care about either. It's not my money and I don't have to figure out how to get out of the mess in a couple years. As long as you have a QB, OL, and front 4 that can rush the passer, things are going to be ok.
TheBigCat
September 03, 2025 at 05:09 pm
I think there's "a new sheriff in town" w/ the new Packers President (Policy). I think draft and develop is a great approach to build a winning program, but sometimes you have to swing for the fences to build a championship team. I think this Parsons signing does that. I still believe the Packers missed opportunities to hoist multiple SB trophies by being "penny wise and pound foolish" by not signing when they were available, Marshawn Lynch, and Randy Moss.
Starrbrite
September 03, 2025 at 06:22 pm
Excactly BigCat.
GregC
September 03, 2025 at 07:49 pm
How do you know that Ed Policy had anything to do with this?
joejetson
September 03, 2025 at 09:56 pm
The last two "mega-trades" involved QB's, but the compensation (draft picks, players) was otherwise comparable.
The Detroit-Rams Stafford trade worked out well for both teams. Rams won a Super Bowl, Detroit used their draft picks to build a good team.
The other example, Broncos-Seattle trade was a debacle for Denver, and Seattle mostly squandered their draft picks. So neither team really cashed in.
Denver had a couple terrible seasons, but has returned from the dregs. Seattle is a middle of the pack operation.
The point is that the "floor/ceiling" range is huge in these types of trades. But the other point is that even if it blows up in your face, you can get back to respectable in a couples years.
In my opinion, it's worth a shot.
NoNonsense
September 03, 2025 at 11:18 pm
I think the best part of this trade is it didn't cost GB any of this years draft picks. Getting Golden with this year's 1st round pick then trading for Parsons might be the steal of the century.
With that GB might have just found the missing piece for each side of the ball this season. On offense we may have just found a true #1 WR to go along with the stud RB and TE. This year we will find out if Love is really the guy to lead this team to a SB. He needs to be better and Golden can have a very big effect on that if he lives up to the hype.
Now they add Parsons to an already strong defense and he just happens to have the one quality that it was missing last year and many other years and that is consistent pressure and the cherry on top of that is quick pressure. Micah can get to the QB as fast as anyone and is relentless in his pursuit of the ball carrier. We may have a harder time stopping the run from the loss of Slaton and Clark but at the same time we now have guys in Parsons and Cooper that may end up getting more tackles for loss and are better at chasing down running QBs when they face them. The fact that Micah can play DE and LB well means he will be harder to locate on any given snap to devote extra attention to him and even if they manage to get extra guys on him that just opens it up for others to take advantage.
To summarize, I'm absolutely thrilled about this trade even if doesn't result in a SB, and even if it blows up in their faces. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Tomorrow is promised to no one, so let's just live in the moment and enjoy seeing the best collection of players this team has assembled in roughly 15 years. Let's worry about the fallout if there is one, later.