The Green Bay Packers just traded for arguably the best defensive player in the entire NFL, and they’ve already agreed to pay him like it.
Green Bay executed a deal with the Dallas Cowboys for elite edge rusher Micah Parsons on Thursday, August 28, and will pay the outside linebacker on a deal worth more than any non-quarterback contract in league history.
Parsons and the Packers already have reached agreement on a four-year, $188 million contract. @DavidMulugheta of @Athletesfirst had a hand in the trade and ultimately negotiating the
ESPN Sources: Cowboys are trading three-time All-Pro LB Micah Packers to the Green Bay Packers. Parsons and the Packers already have reached agreement on a four-year, $188 million contract,” Adam Schefter of ESPN reported via social media. “[DavidMulugheta] of [Athletesfirst] had a hand in the trade and ultimately negotiating the record-breaking contract that includes $120 million fully guaranteed at signing and makes Parsons the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history.
T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers became the highest-paid edge rusher in football based on annual average salary earlier this offseason after inking a three-year deal worth $123 million ($41 million per season).
Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns got the most money overall by signing a four-year extension worth $160 million ($40 million annually), also earlier this year.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase signed a four-year deal worth $161 million, which came through in recent months as well.
Parsons crushed all of those marks with $188 million total, which is equal to $47 million annually. However, Garrett actually has more money guaranteed than Parsons, assuming Schefter’s numbers are precisely accurate, at just over $123.5 million.
Packers Flip Kenny Clark, 2 First-Round Picks to Cowboys for Micah Parsons
GettyFormer Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Kenny Clark will head to the Dallas Cowboys as part of a blockbuster trade for Micah Parsons.
Parsons didn’t come cheap on either end of the transaction. Beyond paying him a record amount, Green Bay also had to give up a haul to acquire his services.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that the Packers sent the Cowboys two first-round picks and interior defensive lineman Kenny Clark in exchange for the four-time Pro Bowl linebacker.
Clark is a three-time Pro Bowler himself, most recently following the 2023 campaign, and has been a force on the interior of Green Bay’s defensive line for the entirety of his nine-year professional career.
Micah Parsons Brings Much-Needed Pass Rush to Packers Defense
GettyFormer Dallas Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons is now a member of the Green Bay Packers.
Parsons is also a three-time All-Pro who won Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2021. He has finished in the top three of Defensive Player of the Year voting in three of his four seasons in the NFL.
Parsons has racked up 112 QB hits, 63 tackles for loss, 52.5 sacks, nine forced fumbles and nine pass breakups over his relatively brief NFL tenure to this point (63 total games played). He also has the highest pressure rate since joining the league in 2021.
The addition of Parsons is monumental for a Packers defense that has gotten solid, though not great, production out of Rashan Gary after paying him $96 million on a four-year contract extension back in October 2023.
Green Bay also spent a first-round pick in 2023 on pass rusher Lukas Van Ness, though he has disappointed thus far with just seven career sacks in two years.
Packers Ink Micah Parsons to Record Deal After Cowboys Trade