Photo: Dave Anderson / Unsplash
By Chuck Duane Collier
As reported by Sportrac, the Green Bay Packers signed Parsons to a contract extension worth $186 million on August 28, 2025, with $136 million guaranteed. This landmark deal made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. Following the trade, a jubilant Parsons expressed his enthusiasm. He believes that a strong locker room culture will serve as a subtle yet significant advantage, reflecting the Packers players’ genuine desire to build camaraderie and cultivate a brotherhood akin to what he experienced at Penn State. This dynamic, he says, is what drives his confidence in guiding the team to greater heights. While acknowledging that he “never wanted this chapter to end” in Dallas, Parson also noted relief at the resolution of his situation, emphasizing the importance of being on a team where players “want to be around each other.”
Jerry Jones’ decision to trade Parsons left most sports analysts stunned. Most people regard this deal as great for the Packers; it’s the best deal since Peter Minuit, the Dutch Director of New Netherland, purchased Manhattan in 1626 for goods valued at just 60 guilders—about $24. Jerry Jones justified trading Parsons by explaining that the move serves the Cowboys’ best interests both now and, in the future, as it enables them to distribute talent more evenly across the roster instead of depending on a single player.
Parsons has delivered outstanding performances throughout his career in Dallas, recording 52.5 sacks, 256 total tackles, and forcing 9 fumbles. In my view, Parsons is the finest pass-rushing outside linebacker the NFL has seen since the legendary Lawrence Taylor, widely regarded as the greatest defensive player in the league’s history. The presence of Parsons will create opportunities for Rashan Gary, as offensive linemen will be forced to focus on Parsons, leaving Gary in more favorable one-on-one matchups. Parsons and Gary are set to form a formidable partnership, becoming a dynamite duo that will keep offensive coordinators up at night, searching for ways to stop them.
The Packers boast a roster with minimal weaknesses. They will eventually face the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL Championship Game and will emerge victorious. I opine they will defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl, delivering Titletown its first title since their 31-25 triumph over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV.