The Green Bay Packers are in a bit of a precarious position with the salary cap this offseason. They also have limited draft capital. The Packers face those situations this spring in large part because they acquired veteran edge rusher Micah Parsons last summer.
Making matters worse, Parsons missed the end of last season with a torn ACL.
So, it was only natural Packers GM Brian Gutekunst received questions about whether he has any buyer’s remorse with Parsons.
Gutekunst, though, made it clear multiple times at the NFL Scouting Combine this week he has no second thoughts.
“During a lengthy session Tuesday at the NFL combine with writers who cover the Packers, Gutekunst said he is ‘absolutely’ glad he made the trade,” ESPN’s Rob Demovsky wrote. “During separate sessions with Wisconsin television stations and then later at the podium in the media center, Gutekunst said he had ‘no regrets’ and ‘none’ about the move.”
The Packers acquired Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys for a two first-round picks — in 2026 and 2027. Green Bay also included Pro Bowl defensive lineman Kenny Clark in the deal.
Following the trade, the Packers signed Parsons to a four-year, $188 million extension with $136 million guaranteed. It was a record contract for a non-quarterback in the NFL.
Packers’ Brian Gutekunst Shares ‘No Regrets’ With Micah Parsons Trade
Gutekunst’s reaction on the Parsons trade five months later should have been expected. Even if Gutekunst feels some regret when it comes to the Parsons deal, it would have made no sense for him to voice it.
But it’s likely the GM was being truthful in his answer.
Acquiring a talent like Parsons is always going to be expensive for any team. But there’s a reason for that; he’s a true difference marker.
The Packers experienced both ends of that reality during 2025. Early in the season with Parsons playing well, the Packers appeared to be a frontrunner in the NFC.
Without him at the end of the campaign, though, the Packers fell apart. They went 0-4, including the playoffs, with Parsons sidelined.
Defensive stars such as Parsons aren’t that much unlike quarterbacks. For the right to acquire one and sign him to a long-term deal, they are very expensive.
The Packers have to live with that reality now. But as long as Parsons returns healthy, they will have a true difference marker for their defense.
When Will Parsons Return During 2026 NFL Season?
In addition to addressing the Parsons trade again, Gutekunst provided an update to reporters Tuesday on his return timeline.
Not long after the season ended, the edge rusher told reporters he wanted to return during September. Gutekunst, though, is taking a more cautious approach.
“I’m sure not only with him but a couple others, there’s going to be a lot of pressing to get out there and play,” Gutekunst said. “He calls me the ‘No Man,’ but yeah, we’ll kinda see. Obviously we made a very big investment in him and protecting that investment I think is really important.”
Parsons finished his first season with the Packers posting 12.5 sacks with 12 tackles for loss and 27 quarterback hits. He also had two forced fumbles and a pass defense in 14 games.
Despite missing the end of the regular season, he made first-team All-Pro for the third time in his five-year career.
Packers GM Speaks out on Potential Regret in Acquiring Edge Rusher Micah Parsons