Cory's Corner: Shock And Awe
The Packers did something they rarely ever do — and they put the entire NFL on notice.
Did that really happen?
The Packers shook the NFL’s tectonic plates by trading a pair of first rounders and Kenny Clark to the Cowboys for generational pass rusher Micah Parsons.
The Packers have always been the traditional draft and develop team. They move at the pace of an iceberg, while the free-wheeling Cowboys have been more flashy with acquiring high-priced talent.
All that was laid to rest on Thursday afternoon. Numerous rumors have been floating around during training camp that Parsons would be traded, but when it became official, it put the entire NFL on notice.
“Great deal (for Green Bay),” said an AFC college scouting director. “Got an elite pass rusher for basically two second round picks. Packers hit a home run. Cowboys on the other hand.”
Ever since Brian Gutekunst’s introductory press conference as general manager of the Packers, he hit home that he was going to be aggressive. “We’re not going to leave any stone unturned in terms of player acquisition,” said Gutekunst on Jan. 8, 2018.
And Ed Policy just took over as president and CEO on July 1 and he clearly wants to start his new regime with a bang. Policy and the Packers became serious Super Bowl contenders in one crazy afternoon.
The $47 million price tag is steep — in fact the steepest the Packers have ever paid for a non-quarterback. But Parsons is averaging 13.1 sacks and 57.7 hurries a season in his four years in Dallas. He was drafted 12th overall in 2021 because he’s wired to be an excellent pass rusher.
Bringing in Parsons suddenly means that Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness will never see a double team. They will see the fruits of this move tenfold and it will make the defense that much better.
Getting rid of Kenny Clark was tough because he was such a reliable work horse. He played 78 percent of the defensive snaps in 2022, 72 percent of the defensive snaps in 2023 and 63 percent of the defensive snaps in 2024. He turns 30 in October and will finish fifth in franchise history in quarterback hits with 76 and sixth in tackles for loss with 51.
The Lions proudly boasted the top pass rusher in the NFC North in Aidan Hutchinson, but that isn’t the case anymore. Parsons, 26, is much better at seeking the quarterback before ultimately destroying him.
Gutekunst and Policy have pushed the chips to the middle. The stakes have been raised. The Packers were a top five defense in yards last year. What is that going to look like this year?
What I really love about the trade is that it hides the team’s biggest weakness — cornerback. If the Packers can consistently get to the quarterback, it doesn’t really matter if the corners aren’t special. The quarterback will be too busy looking over his shoulder trying to figure out where the rush is coming from.
The three-time All-Pro joins former Packer legend and NFL Hall of Famer Reggie White as the only players in NFL history to tally 12 sacks in each of his first four NFL seasons. That’s a pretty good omen, because in White’s fourth season in Green Bay, he helped lead the Packers to a win in Super Bowl XXXI.
It’s go time for the Packers. Even though this team just got even younger, that is not an excuse. The table is set for a deep playoff run and anything less than that will be a disappointment.
And it’s all because the team in the smallest professional city in all of sports shocked the socks off of everyone. That’s pretty awesome.
Can get Micah Parsons matchups against big/slow OGs too...
Load/tilt a side and force isolated 1on1 battles, or sugar/mug threats on opposite side and force slide pass protection away from him pic.twitter.com/kGixDLbVCI
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) August 29, 2025
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__________________________
Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (63)
Stik75
August 30, 2025 at 06:55 am
Well now that we have endured all the excitement of the offseason and preseason. Let the games begin!!!
Savage57
August 30, 2025 at 07:03 am
The clip shows him splitting two double team blocks, with pressure from teammates causing the OL to keep their head on a swivel and pick their poison.
One of the greatest values he brings to the Pack is being a force multiplier.
TKWorldWide
August 30, 2025 at 07:33 am
I was told there’d be no math or physics, but in this case, we gotta love it!
KenEllis
August 30, 2025 at 09:45 am
Astute observation.
Whether it is "blue chipper", "field tilter," "stud" or any other descriptor one wants to use, there are players who elevate the play of others around them and then there are the others.
In Green Bay over the past 30 years, we've seen plenty of fine players, but to my mind just a handful of legitimate difference makers in Butler, Favre, Rodgers, Reggie White, and Woodson.
Parsons is a true difference maker who will hopefully elevate the play of those around him.
Snap the ball
August 30, 2025 at 10:02 am
The key hopefully
The others older in playing career.
Snap the ball
August 30, 2025 at 10:07 am
More respect other players around Reggie ….
I wonder what Rogers thinks. Man would have been nice to have all this for my last 4 years .
But I guess if Kevin King was still playing or only putting 10 folks on the field for a punt to get block vs 49ers in playoff games. Maybe it wouldn’t have mattered.
Two years of super bowls back to back we lost.
So yes i Ihope Parsons get us over the hump.
Snap the ball
August 30, 2025 at 10:12 am
We lost two because of that. Period
barutanseijin
August 30, 2025 at 01:14 pm
Rodgers had Woodson & Peppers, both HoFers.
TKWorldWide
September 01, 2025 at 12:38 pm
He’s never had fewer than 12 sacks in a season. To this I say, “Bring it on!”
stockholder
August 30, 2025 at 08:00 am
I'm not shocked at all.
It was a smart move, that took the
packers from under dogs, to front runner.
The only questions were;
How much, and " the back rumor."
Gute's strength has been Free Agents.
And when he wants one.
He's not going to be cheap.
This time he got a All-pro in his prime.
One that can light a fire under any ass.
And with Gute- I'm sure you'll get more.
Leatherhead
August 30, 2025 at 08:01 am
A real good 4 man rotation at DE with Parsons joining Gary, Van Ness, and Enagbare. Best in league, perhaps.
NickPerry
August 30, 2025 at 08:13 am
Don't forget about Cox. He was really coming on at the end of last season when given the opportunity.
Coldworld
August 30, 2025 at 08:34 am
Enagbare had a really good camp. Perhaps second only to that of Brooks on the inside. He does everything pretty well. Great pieces but his weakest element is getting to the QB. Cox also had a sound camp against the run. What he’s best at though is getting to the QB and that’s priceless. Certainly he’s much more threatening than Enagbare.
Van Ness is going to have to step up. Cox will push him in terms of pressure and Enagbare in terms of holding the edge. Both likely push him in the run game. Van Ness needs to get sacks or he may well lose snaps in both pass (Cox) and in run likely settings (Enagbare) if he doesn’t take a big jump there. That’s not a bad thing: it’s a sign of real competition.
Snap the ball
August 30, 2025 at 09:48 am
LVN is like oh. What’s his name back in early 2000s. He was from Iowa or Iowa state .
Started our slow and brought along played well and traded him away before Super Bowl
Kampman. Yah LVN is like Kampman. Will get better as time goes on
Coldworld
August 30, 2025 at 10:57 am
One hopes. Though the danger with that is now greater it’s not here and others can always surpass him.
Snap the ball
August 30, 2025 at 10:10 am
I have down has 2 or 3 in sacks this year
Snap the ball
August 30, 2025 at 10:11 am
I have him down for 2nd or 3rd in sacks this year
barutanseijin
August 30, 2025 at 01:39 pm
Cox > Van Ness
LambeauPlain
August 30, 2025 at 08:37 am
The solid base front 7:
Parsons, Wyatt, Brooks, Gary
Cooper, Walker, McDuffie
The nightmare front 7:
Van Ness, Wyatt, Brooks, Gary
Cooper, Walker, Parsons (who's knifing in?)
The good luck to you nickel 6:
Parsons, Wyatt, Van Ness, Gary
Cooper, Walker
And several other packages Hafley and his coaches will be drawing up to attack each opponent's weaknesses and matchup problems.
DBs should be generating a lot of Reading and Reacting havoc unleashed at the snap!
HawkPacker
August 30, 2025 at 09:46 am
Excellent LP.
PackAttackJack
August 30, 2025 at 09:50 am
Gary Cooper???
dobber
August 31, 2025 at 06:41 am
Super duper!
GregC
August 30, 2025 at 10:34 am
That all sounds like fun, but for now I'm thinking of it in simpler terms: Parsons replaces Isaiah McDuffie at LB in the base 4-3, and on passing downs he is part of the edge rushing rotation but is more heavily featured than any of the others. I hope he plays something like 90% of snaps overall.
LambeauPlain
August 30, 2025 at 02:02 pm
I agree, expect a simpler life for the lions as he sharpens the Packer saw.
However, I heard LaFleur say Parsons can be used all over the front 7 in match ups and to attack specific opponents. And the more he succeeds from different spots, more OC's will be drinking Red Bull at 3 AM for all the contingencies.
The HC said he can play all 3 LB positions, both DEs and even rush from the A and B gaps (hopefully not too much!). Attack where he has an advantage on the play and vs the opponent. Hafley does that as it is and Parsons makes the attacks so much more disrupting.
Synergies galore could be forming. I really believe Parsons is going to elevate Gary and Van Ness. And Parsons with Cooper, Walker? Wow.
WD
August 30, 2025 at 01:07 pm
Nailed it lambeauPlain. I especially like Van Ness paired with Wyatt in the middle with Gary and Parsons on the outside. I would like to see a lot of that mix.Our defense could be the most dominating in the league. It will compliment the offense nicely for sure.
mvprzy
August 30, 2025 at 11:21 pm
"complement"
different word - compliment
Doug_In_Sandpoint
August 30, 2025 at 08:40 am
Still working on this one but maybe there’s something here:
The Minister of Defense lived and work in Lambeau, or what is now known as The Parsonage.
Snap the ball
August 30, 2025 at 09:38 am
I think this is the BEST post …maybe copy right material
LambeauPlain
August 30, 2025 at 10:15 am
Reggie was actually Parson White at his Green Bay Area Church.
egbertsouse
August 30, 2025 at 08:55 am
Maybe Parsons can show LVN a pass rush move other than the bull rush. And show Gary how to chase down a play going the other way rather than just stand and watch it.
Snap the ball
August 30, 2025 at 09:37 am
Gary play is to contain a lot and it’s tuff to get to a QB they pass fast . That’s Vikings offense and others when they have a so so QB. Coaching it’s called. Get the ball out quick. You see what happens when Sam D played against the Rams last year.
There’s regular season and playoff games. Good players step up for playoff games.
It should have been Rams and Packers in the NFC championship game last year. MLF casused that with the loss to the Bears to changed who we played. Bad clock management that game..
Snap the ball
August 30, 2025 at 09:41 am
LVN didn’t start at Iowa. He’s young and still learning. Need to get stronger and quicker.
Draft and Devlop. He will have a good year even without the trade. Needs reps
.
Cox another good one. Could have a monster year
TKWorldWide
September 01, 2025 at 12:45 pm
The LVN not starting is factually true, but actually nonsense. Iowa only started seniors. So, after the first play, LVN was in the field. So, he’s got that going for him.
Snap the ball
August 30, 2025 at 09:30 am
This season comes down to three things.
1. Jeff’s Defense
2. Covington D line
3 if I’m sitting in Santa Carla with an expensive ticket I paid for.
NitschkeFromTheGrave
August 30, 2025 at 09:31 am
THREE more things to love about this trade:
1. It's true, Van Ness and Gary's play just became more efficient and effective, they have to be on an incredible high.
2. It's not just about Parson's game play, the entire defense will rise to any occasion on the field with mental attitude and ability as they ride the wave of strength.
3. The Lockerroom, that excitement and team spirit has to have the walls of the Lockerroom buzzing and bulging. The gravitational pull to be a part of this team is enormous.
No matter how you cut it, losing Kenny does not sit well however, the overall benefits of this trade have positive effects far beyond any scripted Exes and Ohs you could possibly put on paper or a chalkboard.
It was a great day in packerland.....
GO PACK GO !
Snap the ball
August 30, 2025 at 09:43 am
I just hope him and X get along.
X one of the leaders
Snap the ball
August 30, 2025 at 09:52 am
I nope Parsons plays good for 4 years . I hope Charles Woodson comes and talks to the young man.
Starrbrite
August 31, 2025 at 10:12 pm
Yes indeed—this has to energize/synergize the entire team—not to mention Packer Nation.
HawkPacker
August 30, 2025 at 09:50 am
Hmmmm, as I am reading these posts I am wondering if it would be possible for Gute to seek out a trade for an experienced NT for one of our better DE's?
Snap the ball
August 30, 2025 at 09:54 am
That big dude Wilkins is available. He can take up space. Too bad we didn’t get Campbell early on.
Or Maybe
Do a Bo Melton.switch sides of the ball
Get an o line to play a few plays at nose tackle.
WD
August 31, 2025 at 11:24 am
It is high time Van Ness returns to part time interior DL play. Nothing to lose here. Everything to gain. GPG
Alberta_Packer
August 30, 2025 at 10:29 am
Just to lessen the sticker price shock of 47M (4 years) . The actual contract a.a.v. is just over 42m for 5 years. This averaging the balance of Parson's current contract with a 4 year extension.
WD
August 31, 2025 at 11:26 am
The fact the deal was made proves they can do it. Period
HarryHodag
August 30, 2025 at 11:18 am
Prior to the trade I had read that the Cowboys wanted three number 1's, two number 2's and a player. That got chopped down to the current agreement. The first offer was too high but the accepted offer is close to a fleecing by the Packers. Kenny Clark was a great Packer but his age means his production will decline in all probability. The Packers draft picks will likely be lower first rounders. Dallas losing a potential Hall of Famer for who knows what?
Initially I was opposed to the trade, but all things considered, this levels off the North Division. It still won't be easy, but the Packers are more likely to win the division this year. A great defense means you're in every game.
The Packers were able to swing this financially because so much of the rest of the roster is on rookie(lower cost) deals.
The real pressure is on Jordan Love. As they say, this is the year when the proof is in the pudding. The Packers now have the weapons to win now. Lets hope it all comes together.
Gman1976
August 30, 2025 at 12:07 pm
The real pressure is on MLF. Can he get the offense to perform on 3rd downs, in the 4th quarter, and in tight games? Will he still be throwing long on 3rd & short, or have Love look to his RBs that were ignored on passing plays or do some other quick high percentage pass play? Will he stay in his ruts or get more creative as the game moves on? Will he use up his timeouts early or use his timeouts more judiciously so he has them at critical times when the clock is running down? Will he try to run out the clock when he has a lead or step on the gas and crush his opponents? Will he be out-coached or out-coach his opponents? We have a top defense, but how a top offense?
Leatherhead
August 30, 2025 at 03:11 pm
MLF and Love are kind of joined at the hip. Neither can be successful without the other.. The clock is ticking because the new Prez has signaled that he doesn’t want a lame duck HC, Love will either be a great player or we’ll find a replacement, The Packers understand how to prepare at that position
In Facenda voice, this is a meeting with Destiny
TKWorldWide
September 01, 2025 at 12:47 pm
Lee Trevino used to say the proof was in the putting.
But I guess that’s irrelevant here.
vin0770
August 30, 2025 at 01:06 pm
Could be the piece that transforms the defense. Only two things I got questions on is the past teammates didn’t care for his podcasting and attention he wanted and it was more than a few. Did he learn from that or as he said in his introduction this is who I am?
Why did the Pack have to go to $47 million per year? Couldn’t they get it done at $42 per year and save $20 million while still stroking his ego making him the highest paid non QB?
PhantomII
August 30, 2025 at 03:19 pm
Ed Policy's father ran the 49ers in their heyday....Good things to come GB....GPG
jannesbjornson
August 31, 2025 at 01:27 pm
Walsh was his coach/GM and Montana the QB.
Bitternotsour
September 01, 2025 at 04:03 pm
it's true, Carmen Policy was a capo in the DeBartolo crime family
Trapped-in-MN-BUT-GB-fan
August 30, 2025 at 04:38 pm
Here I sit in Minnesota. Since the trade I have heard that Parsons isn’t that good…..lousy team around him…..easy to block….and the BS goes on. I’ve just laughed and frustrated them more. The best one I’ve heard is that Kenny Clark is better than Parsons. To be fair I have heard realistic comments as well but I enjoy the psychotic comments better.
Reality hits next week.!
davekenya
August 30, 2025 at 05:31 pm
Shock and awe - GB doing what they rarely do: going after a big name player -- here in a trade. I want to put this trade into some kind of perspective.
The Steelers send a 2nd round pick to Seattle for DK Metcalf...and then signed him to a $150M/5yr deal. GB did not do this trade...tho some folks here wanted us to pursue it. Instead, a month later GB invests a #1 draft pick on a WR (which they never do) and a #3. Clearly, GB was not happy with it's WR group to invest draft pics this way...but not so unhappy to have chased a Metcalf (or equivalent).
Now, they send 2 #1's and KC to the Big D ...and sign Parsons to $188M/4yr deal. Bigger salary, bigger trade capital...for a player they CLEARLY value much more highly than a star WR. Clearly, GB was not happy with it's pass rush group to invest this way...but not so unhappy to have chased edge rush options in round 1 and round 3 of the 2025 draft; instead opting to draft WRs...
I get that Parsons has more impact than a Metcalf. I also get that they sent a lot more draft capital (and are paying a higher salary for 4 years) than they would've if upgrading the WR and edge-rush had played out the opposite (flip flop what GB did).
Would GB have been better having a Metcalf (at his salary) and instead investing three #1s (2025 spent on Golden + 2026 and 2027 #1s traded to Dallas) on edge rushers as well as the 17M/yr in cap savings (Parsons 47M - Metcalk 30M) on some 'pretty good player' (17M buys you something decent)?
We will never know. And I'm not advocating that we should've done this (heck, maybe Gute tried to land a UFA WR)...I'm just surprised that GB pulled a big trigger here...but chose not to pull a big trigger 5 months ago on a WR...
As it may turn out, we might have best of both -- Golden and Parsons. However, our current wonderful outcome would not have been foreseeable back in March during free agency and a month before the draft...when we didn't know we'd get a Golden nor later a Parsons...
What GB basically has said/done is: To improve our WR and edge-rush positions, we believe we're better with:
Golden + Parsons versus
Metcalf + three #1 picks and 12-17M cap money invested in some edge-rusher minus one #2 (traded for Metcalf or an equiv valued WR)
To keep things 'simple', I'm considering losing KC to be equivalent to the cap savings gained by losing him...so not factoring him into this...tho he certainly could/should be
I'm not pro/con anything...just trying to look at the value GB has gotten with both the WR and edge-rush changes since March and what it's cost...in a slightly different way...
GregC
August 30, 2025 at 06:16 pm
I think DK Metcalf was just not the right player. He's good but not elite, plus he's a hot-head. I'm not sure if he would fit with the team personality-wise. By drafting wide receivers, the Packers were able to pick their guys, and they were lucky to have Golden fall to them. (He's now changed his number from 22 to 0, by the way. He'll be the first Packer ever to wear #0. I liked 22 better.)
Having the chance to get Parsons was an incredible stroke of luck, plus it took a lot of effort on Gutey's part to make it happen. I'm very happy it turned out this way. I was less impressed with the edge rushers in the draft than most people were. Most of them who were available by the time the Packers picked will need some time to develop, and they might not ever be quality NFL players.
dobber
August 31, 2025 at 06:49 am
WRs decline rapidly, probably more so than LBs/DEs. When it comes right down to it, an impact pass rusher changes a game more than a WR does and the Packers are likely to see more immediate impact and longer term production out of the DE...a DE on an HOF trajectory as opposed to a very good, but not so good as you'd hope, WR. I think that's the take-home here.
I'm still of two minds on this deal...love the blue-chipper and the possibilities, but after climbing out of the cap problems created by 12 and 69, I'm leery of the longer term cap issues created and the lack of #1s. The "Gute struggles in round 1" arguments are as stupid as the "third round jinx" arguments.
In order for this to work, there's a lot of growing up and guessing right in the young guys this roster that needs to happen...and, of course, good health. I think that helps to build into the elements of uneasiness on this deal.
Matt
August 31, 2025 at 02:14 pm
As much as I admire Metcalf's physical attributes, he's not even bona fide WR1, not to say HoF in the making. I have not been against seeing Metcalf with G on the helmet, but 30 mln a year seemed like too much. I think there are better pure receivers who could play for less.
It all comes down to Parsons' performance. If he will be the advertised gamewrecker we will look at his contract not to count how much we've lost but how can we extend him.
canadapacker
August 30, 2025 at 06:35 pm
All the hype and all of the great press and kudos etc - but in the end = you must still play the game. First and foremost we need to win the division - I am now hopeful and we will get an early prognosis as we play the Lions with their new co-ordinators. The good thing is that Goff can be bad under pressure and it will help our coverage. I am most concerned about the Bears as Williams can destroy teams if he improves and pressure is needed and you cant miss tackles on him. So win the division comes first. Next we have some really tough teams ie Phillie Washington Ravens and Cinci. But what interests me the most is when AR is our opponent. It would be really nice to get a few sacks on him and he likes to hold the ball. But the proof will be on the field and hope the boys dont read the press clippings
Canpack
August 30, 2025 at 08:11 pm
In 1996 the Packers were led by Reggie White and Bret Farve and won the Super Bowl. In 2009 the Packers were led by Clay Mathews and Aron Rogers and won the Super Bowl. In 2025 the Packers are led by Micah Parsons and Jordan Love.
The way things are now if your quarterback did not win the Super Bowl MVP than your team lost. So the path ahead for Micah Parsons and Jordan Love is clear and daunting they must lead Green Bay to a Super Bowl and Jordan Love must be the Super Bowl MVP. If they did that Mucah Parsons and Jordan Love would be spoken of in the same breath as Reggie White, Bret Farce, Clay Mathews and Arron Rogers and would be rightfully and forever remembered by Packer fans for forging another great moment when they step out of football and walk into history.
WD
August 31, 2025 at 11:36 am
According to numerous analysts if we had not made this trade the Packers would not have been serious contenders.
After the trade we are now SERIOUS contenders with Detroit and Philadelphia. Those two being the main teams standing in the way.
NFLfan
August 31, 2025 at 12:42 pm
Let's wait one week-we'll see then.
mnbadger
August 31, 2025 at 06:53 pm
I agree, but week one is only the introduction.
The book will be written throughout the season, climaxing (too much?) during the playoffs.
Hoping for fireworks.
It's on JL10 & MLF now.
GPG!
Leatherhead
September 01, 2025 at 12:58 pm
The immediate problem is the game against the Lions.
NFLfan
September 01, 2025 at 11:01 pm
Hobbs had a meniscus repair and likely won't play.
Parson will play part of the game.