Gute went all in to get a street named after him. My belief is Green Bay will not have to figure out what street will be called Gutekunst Avenue.

If this works and the Packers win the SB great but if it does not Gute better make sure his resume is up to date.

I do not like this move. We gave up too much for one player. Mark my words two season's from now Parsons will be holding out for a new contract. He will be a cancer for the team.

Personally I don't think it was much to pay for Parsons. Common, two 1sts and Kenny Clark? Clark who has a big salary AND is turning 30 in October and was probably playing in his last season in GB anyways after having his worst season as a Pro last year.

Kenny Clark was a great Packer. Never caused the organization embarrassment, always played hard. But we know what 30 years old means in GB.

Now Hafley has a shinney new toy. I have goose bumps upon goose bumps thinking what Hafley can do with a Parsons AND a Cooper shooting the A-Gap. It's going to be AWESOME! But like Ken has said, a BIG swing was needed. This defense IS a Championship level Defense now.

It's time for Championship #14 and it's coming very soon...GO PACK GO!

Unbelievable - so exciting on so many fronts.

I find myself thinking about all the young talent on this team that makes a move like this possible. Youngest team in the league, with guys like coop, williams and kraft all just cementing themselves as tremendous starters, and then adding a guy like golden to this receiver group, seeing morgan take a step and possibly offering multiple years of tackle play on a rookie contract, hopper possibly giving them a path to not have to sign quay to a big contract.

This move ups the pressure on gute and company to 'do more with less' in the next few years, but I completely agree with the article's sentiment that there are teams that compete for the regular season and there are teams that compete for championships, and this is such an incredible statement that this isn't a team thats content to just win division championships

Ken you put last years short comings on the defense but how many times did the offense stall or special team gaffes , no excuses for the defense now , Love needs to step up he does not have to be great just be good and consistent .

I like this move. Got an allpro and lost a declining player. The defense improved last year but against good teams was not good enough. Adding Hobbs made th CB better. Good to start the season and see what happens. The Parsons trade should fix the weakest deficiency, the pass rush.

On the offense side, Jacobs was great, but he had to do too much on his own. Dumping Myers and adding Banks was the right move. Maybe Morgan can provide more run support than Walker and make Jacobs even more effective.

Then I want to see Kraft used more. Hope he breaks out this year. Looks like Doubs, Wicks and Golden going to the WR this year. I think Reed will end up on IR with the Jones fracture in the foot. Perhaps he and Watson will be ready for the stretch run.

And finally the last piece of the puzzle. The offense couldn't grind out a score late in games. Improving the offensive line and focusing more on Kraft will help. This is something that both Love and Lafleur needs to learn. Jacobs and Kraft can do that.

I am looking forward to the season. It will be fun

When you think about it, this is a move Gute had to make. There is a good chance that if the Packers continued on the path of being a good but not great team Gute probably doesn't get a contract extension. With this trade it somewhat makes up for the poor drafting in the first round. If it works out and it gets the Pack to the SB Gute is a hero and stays on as GM for as long as he wants. If it fails he gets shown the door which would be the probable outcome if the team continues as they have been since he's been the GM. It's a risky move and I hope it works out but if it doesn't it could take a while for the team to recover.

I disagree with Ken's view that the Packers before the Parsons trade were "not quite good enough to realistically compete for Super Bowls." I thought they were going to be in the mix, as one of a handful of teams that could win it all if things went right for them. Maybe a little behind the Eagles, Lions, and Rams in the NFC, but it was close. Are they ahead of those teams now? It's hard to say, but this trade should make them better. Just looking at 2025 in isolation, they traded Kenny Clark for Micah Parsons. That's a REALLY good deal, even if it leaves them thin at nose tackle.

Next year, the deal isn't quite as good for them, as they will not have a first round draft pick, and then they lose another one after that. But it's still a good deal overall for a team that wants to win a championship in the next few years. They now have the big-time pass rusher that they had in Reggie White and Clay Matthews when they won their last two championships.

Ron Wolf bet his career on Brett Favre, then two years later doubled down and went all-in on the bet with Reggie White.

Brian Gutekunst bet his career on Jordan Love, and he's now upped his ante with Micah Parsons.

Inflation raised the stakes. Pray his move turns out to be as fruitful as Wolf's.

At first when I heard about the possibility of this deal, I didn't like it; but the more I read about the success of Parsons despite his being on a so so team, the more excited I am about our defense. The price seems fair. My big question mark is how is his health. Didn't he miss games last year? I trust our GM has done his homework, but haven't heard anything about his health.

The best thing about this trade is that no other team will get him. Don't have to say, "should a, could a, would a".

I can't believe the Packers did this, but now I can cheer for Micah. I wonder if he'll be ready to go 100% right away. It will be interesting to see how they start him out. I don't want them to push him too hard.

I'll miss Kenny whom I felt would have a good bounce back season. Wish him the best but not so much of a bounce now. Poor guy.

Wow. A great birthday gift. Thank you, GBP land.
In terms of pass-rush flexibility, the Packers have the next Reggie White in Parsons.
2 -1st round picks are ok as Gutey is usually missing the mark and needed to get Jones to bite; it's the 180 Mil. extension. Pricey, but Watt gets over $40 m.

So, $45 a year is about right for the best defensive player- A top QB is now $60, and Love is nowhere as good as that. Jordan, you need to start playing like a top 5 QB, or this isn't working out!

The point is - it's a great move for the defense to build on. I see Hunter Renfroe is out there for the picking, as the offense now needs a boost. I expect big things from Golden, so I'm not too concerned if no pieces are added.

Things are looking up in Green Bay...so Go Packers Go. Bring that Lombardi home.
Great job building this SB-seeking team. Now, if Lafleur went to coaching camp in the spring, he's going to be better with the clock and red-zone play calls. Right?

Two firsts? Big deal. That’s LVN and Quay Walker. Or Nick Perry and Demarious Randall. Kenny Clark is basically done, he’s been overused. He’s a 30 year old with 37 year old legs.

An honest and refreshing take on this situation. No fake winners/losers analysis. This is now the Packers' reality and whatever happens, I am still a big Packer Backer.

I thought the cost to get Parsons was going to be so preposterous it'd be the defensive equivalent of a Russell Wilson to Denver trade. What should amount to two late first-rounders, and a DL that, while really good and a Packer mainstay, has 10 years of trench wear on his body, and is noticeably regressing, is a steal. I don't like so much salary cap tied up in two players, but the way the cap is rising year over year, that won't look so bad in a couple years.

It would have been even better if they had given up 10 third round picks instead :)

The chess pieces are now on the board. Now it's up to MLF, the DC and positional coaches to do their jobs. I believe the seat for MLF has suddenly gotten very hot. Let's hope he can rise to the occassion.

Sure am glad we kept Nazir Stackhouse and Walter Brinson! This deal must have been in the works, for some time, for GB to add two DL guys to the team, knowing Kenny Clark would be traded, if they wanted Parsons. We only gave up two 1st round picks, and most likely two late 1st round picks, plus an aging DL guy on his last contract in GB. I love Kenny Clark, but this is business. Welcome to Green Bay, Micah! Let's roll!

I was curious about what assets would have been necessary to trade-up from 23 (GB) to 3 - where Abdul Carter - the Micah Parsons play-a-like was taken by the Giants. So I asked AI. The answer:

" generally you be looking to trade the 23rd pick plus many other assets like future picks, key players, or additional draft capital to acquire such a high-value selection."

It appears that the cost to the Packers was far less. Especially to acquire a young, proven, all-pro player who has just entered his prime.

I am almost always against giving away draft picks. I wouldn't have done this for Watt Garrett as they are too old and past their prime. I wouldn't have done it for player like Hutchinson who is great but not on Parsons' level. I don't believe in paying top dollar unless that player truly a top talent. Parsons is a top talent who is worth paying. He is motivated to be the best so I don't worry about him becoming complacent. Sure he wants to get paid but that is the case for all top talent. They are pros after all.

As for the picks and Clark. Clark was an aging talent who dropped off a lot the last couple of years and was only going to continue to do so. Two 1st rounders is a lot but this is a premier position and you don't get this type of talent drafting in the 20s. Time will be teh ultimate judge but I think the Packers got the better of the deal.

This team recently has looked like it was barely hanging on when it faced good teams. We wind up losing in the end or not quite completing a comeback. I'm hoping this move, at least defensively, makes our opponents be the ones who barely hang on. How long before Parsons creates a turnover and gets to do a Lambeau Leap? I'm hoping we get to see some of that energy.

I was a bit hesitant about giving up the draft capital when this was just rumor until I thought about it a different way. If this puts the team into the Super Bowl or very nearby, the draft capital that was traded will basically be the equivalent of two very high 2nd round picks. And thinking of it that way, Gute just knocked over Ft. Knox and got away with every last ounce of the gold. Yes, it's hard to see a wonderful player like Kenny Clark go, but it's a business.

I live in San Antonio, so I'm practically the only person within 500 miles who isn't a rabid Cowboys fan. I'm going to have a lot of fun discussing the robbery at Ft. Knox with all my neighbors over the next few days. So, all I can say is, thanks Jerry!

I feel bad for KC, but that's life in the NFL. I'm hoping they can get Parsons into football shape quickly without risking soft tissue injury. I was against this move as late as yesterday, and am still nervous about it. This does allow Hafley to move LVN inside on obvious passing downs to get some more pressure up front. In reality Jerra really didn't have a choice. He has a highly paid WR, and he waaay overpaid for Prescott (good but not great by any means). They were about to enter cap purgatory, especially with Pickens wanting a raise if he has success in Dallas this season.

Parsons is only 26, so the price was somewhat reasonable.

Can't wait for September 28th!

I am not a fan of most of Ken Lass articles - and not a fan of the title of this one or most of the article. Firstly we have the same chance this year as last year and maybe a bit higher. Vikes rookie QB, Lions 2 new co-ordinators and the Bears new coach ( but they will be much better). So despite the relatively hard schedule - I think with the pre-deal roster our chances were good. I did not hold much of a chance of acquiring Parsons as the prognosticators were saying that they wanted much more - But even with Parsons contract and subtracting Clarks - The Pack is in pretty good shape. But this was not a Necessary big swing - but IMO - a golden opportunity given the quality of the player and the price paid.

'Draft and develop' has not worked well under Gutekunst's tenure largely because he has not drafted well in early rounds. Clark, Gary and Alexander were poor returns on second contract investments as Quay Walker is. @ least Parsons has produced, though there may be some issues with a strong personality.

I am fine with the move, it adds fire to the perennial under-performing DL and helps the thin CB room etc.
Doesn't mean GB is going to the SB, though. The Offense is my biggest concern. MLF is still vulnerable to being out-coached in big games, And, Jordan Love and the WR's have, to date, proven to be inconsistent.

I was considering what Gutey's new nickname should be, but the one that immediately came to mind is already taken by a young DOGE employee.

I won't be too shocked if he shows up to next press conference wearing black leather, an earring, a nose ring, MOM and Packer tats on both arms, playing AC/DC through his ear buds.

Obviously Ed Policy's policy supported this swing. Russ Ball is going to have to again bounce and juggle a lot of cap balls the next few years. I am certain LaFleur is very happy...but not as ecstatic as Hafley. I am thinking of the synergies, pressures, and packages he is already designing with his coaches and players.

Acquiring Parsons shows that Gute finally has a sense of urgency. I wonder if Ed Policy spoke to Gute and injected some urgency into the results for the upcoming season. Certainly MLF will be feeling the heat now. No more excuses. GPG! Thanks, Since '61

This is the Love Window, and we're all in trying to win before Love's salary goes over $75M a year. This year, because next year Gutekunst and LaFleur will both be lame ducks, which Policy has stated he's not a fan of lame ducks.

Win this year, get extensions.

xXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

I took the time this morning to read the comments by the people I call the South Pole group, because their compasses invariably point in the exact wrong direction. Based on their comments, I'm going to go out on a limb and say getting Parsons was a good move.

Big limb Leatherhead.
Hope this works out as supposed.
IF not then the Packers will be in serious trouble for a decade.
But nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Packer prospects were over-optimistic for this season.
Now there is a reason for the optimism IF Parsons is ready to play.
IF not the season could be virtually over before he makes the impact predicted.

A big swing that definitely had to be made and taken. This is payback to the Cowboys and Mr. Jones for staying in our way during the ninety's. It’s pretty scary how good this defense could be with Parsons. Just remember, defenses win championships, accept when the forty whiners blew a 10 point lead against the Chiefs. Go Pack Go!!!

Go Packers and btw—I believed since a week ago, the Packers were gonna do this
For those claiming the Packers gave too much for Parsons:
The Broncos gave up much more for Wilson. Parsons is a defensive mvp with more sacks in his first four seasons than anyone but…wait for it…Reggie White. He’s 26 yoa. He’s only missed 4 gms in 4 years. We gave up an aging -31 year old nose tackle, who was on the decline. Our first round pics have been at the bottom of the draft—closer to a 2nd rounder.
You have to pay more draft capital to move up in the draft than what we paid.
We were not far from being a legitimate SB contender and this puts us in the conversation. We’re still the youngest team in the NFL with a new all star sack artist.
I’m certain the bears, Vikings, and lions are scratching their heads in bewilderment—asking themselves, did the Packers just acquire the best defensive player in the NFL.
This was an outstanding move.
The Packer staff and fans are pinching themselves—even the “cap worrying ,” “sky is always falling,” “it’ll never work,” pessimistic Packer fans are secretly celebrating in their fallout shelters.
Go Packers!!!

I'm still kind of in shock.Yet in reading this article. I'm all the more convinced that this is exactly what we needed, and with it a defensive swagger to us. I never felt that that winning a championship for the packers could be accomplished with anything less. Cooper reminded me of that value last year. For the Packers it's just the right thing to do. The Pack is back!. Let the games begin.

And .... GPG!

I like the move.
And I don't like losing Clark.
So- There are risks -
This is From a cut and paste;
Overpaying one player to improve a team
is a high-risk strategy that can lead to significant problems,
even if it initially seems to be a success.
The potential downsides often relate to
financial constraints and negative effects on team morale.
Forcing out players has become Gute's MO.
At some point it will catch up to him.
(The live by the sword, die by the sword mentality.)

Pre - Caution no longer exists.
And neither does sentimentality.
Criticism be damned.
Gute made the right move.
The Lambeau atmosphere needed it.

My 2 thoughts..
1) Parsons doesn’t have back issues.
2) Parsons wears #12

Who are you, and what did you do with stockholder?

Couple of quick thoughts. 1st in thinking about the picks given up. According the Jimmy Johnson trade chart, future picks given up or received are worth a bit less than if traded in the same year. So if all goes well for GB and they pick in the late 20s or even later than that this basically amounts to trading away 2 high 2nd round picks in value, even less for the pick in 27'. So that all must be taken into account.

I personally think the bigger loss is Clark this year. I was hoping for a big bounce back season out of him now that he's healthy again and maybe the Cowboys will get to enjoy that but he is a great player and a better person and will be missed. His loss can be mitigated on the field however with the personnel the Packers currently have either by reducing the big DEs inside for more pass rush or by loading up the big DTs Wooden and Stackhouse for more run defense. Having Edge Cooper as a gap shooter along with Parsons will make the defense a formidable group. If the CB play is even competent these guys will be wreaking havoc the next couple of years.

I haven't been this excited about an incoming trade since Ron Wolf landed REGGIE WHITE !

GO PACK GO !!?

At first I was very excited about Packers getting Parsons, then I started to think more on losing Clark. Here is a guy doing everything right and good player. Been with the Pack for almost 10 years. Seemingly in no danger, then bam, he has to move away from friends. Then all everyone is talking about is the other guy Parsons. One thing is for sure, I could never be a GM and make that decision.

Starting DL is now "Gary Wyatt LVN Parsons"? Kind of curious how middle will hold up without Clark. I think the biggest beneficiary of Parson deal is Gary, and then the secondary.

Just read about the dead money hit from shipping Clark, and it is considerable for 2 more years. Packers are 10th with like 54M dead money this year.

Hope the back injury talk is nothing.

I think the price paid is equitable or favors the packers. Look at the past 10-20 1st round selections of the packers. Take QBs out as Gute will not select a QB in 1st in next 2 years and if he does, things really went sideways. Seems like 50% of them did not get a second contract with the packers. After some googling, it seems that 40% of 1st rounders stick with same team (2009-2018).

Packers took two 40% dice rolls into a sure thing and Parsons is probably higher quality than hitting on either of the two dice rolls. Then of course, they gave a good but slightly aging player.

Just keep this in mind while Packers make their first selection after pick 60 for next two years. They already hit in the first round.

Oh yea, I don't agree that packers needed to make the move, but it does make them better.

I hope this doesn't slow the development of Van Ness and Cox, especially from all the positives coming out of camp hopefully Hafley finds a way to get them the needed reps I guess its a good problem to have.

Well, for the next couple of seasons, we'll either be a Super Bowl team, or we'll be really good but not Super Bowl good. If you're one of these guys who thinks only the last game matters, there's no guarantees, but if you're like me, and you just like watching the Packers win games, this is going to be a good couple of years.

Eventually, Jacobs will get old and Love will cost too much, but 2025, there's no way that we're not one of the top teams. Hell, we could play Willis and win 10 games. We could replace Matthew Golden with me and win 10 games. So, to recap....we're going to win games for the next couple of years.
,
Essentially, we're using our #1 pick next year, and Kenny Clark to get Parsons now. (assuming a guy like Parsons would be available when we drafted, which is unlikely). Younger and better than Clark at this point, and during the Love Window. And we're paying another #1 for the privilege of doing business. If we're winning the Super Bowl, these are at the end of the round and nobody cares.

If we're not winning the Super Bowl, there's nobody we could draft the following year that would be better than Parsons is now. I'll dig around a little but I'll bet you that scoring back-to-back winners late in the first round isn't that common.

McKinney, Hobbs, and now Parsons. Add in the draft picks like Williams, Bullard, and Cooper and it makes six new pieces we've added to the defense since Hafley arrived. They've made a difference. Add that to what we get from the guys who've been here two full years or longer.....Valentine, Nixon, Van Ness, Gary, Enagbare, Brooks, Wooden, Wyatt, McDuffie... and it looks to me like this could/should be a very good group on defense.

If you're a guy like me, who thinks the defense just needs to keep the score down so the offense can win it, then we should be able to do that. It certainly does seem like we're trying to create as many turnover opportunities in a game as we can.

This is a vote of confidence in the other DTs on this team: First Slaton, then Clark. Big holes to fill. Obviously, they think they can get it done with Wyatt and Wooden and Brooks and Brinson and Stackhouse.

PackerNation is all crazy excited and so am I. B U T......how game ready is Micah? Not saying he's out of shape or anything, but he's been at camp, but not in camp. Unless someone has different information, I have this nasty twitch that Micah plays and twitches/tweeks something cuz he's not in game shape. Can he go 100% vs the Lions on opening day? Can he stay of health issues for much of the season? Look at all the Packer injuries from camp, let alone the season.

So we got the monster. Let's hope the monster catches QBs, not injuries!

Why so many of us were surprised this happened is because this sort of trade is exceedingly rare to begin with, and is never something the Packers engage in.

We have always gotten used to hearing how the Packers were "in discussions" over some big free agent or trade prospect. And we were all used to some other team getting the big fish up for grabs. We always figured the Packers were that team that sent out a few feelers, then sent out a low bid that other teams surpassed. But now this.

In the past two seasons, the Packers have picked up RB1, their core safety, inside offensive line help, their CB1, and now one of the best edges in the league through free agency and trades. Does this signal a fundamental change in the draft and develop philosophy? Or is it merely a reaction to some missed draft picks? Dillon was not the Jones replacement they hoped, so they went and got Jacobs. Alexander was toast, so move on with McKinney and Hobbs. The Packers have feasted on drafting middle-round linemen and making NFL starters out of them, but some misses led to picking up a high-priced replacement in Banks.

And most of all, a number 13 pick you traded up to get, was finding it difficult to move past even being a rotational player, so they made a swing like this. The chances of finding a player like Parsons with those picks are low, so they went for it. It's exciting for sure. But, are the days of draft and develop gone?

Is this a risky move? It is always a risk when you put 1st round pick(s) on the table and when big name is on the other end of transaction. Is this a good move? Nobody knows, but for now it looks not that bad. He is at least top-3 pass rusher in the league at 26 years old. I think 2x 1st round picks is not much for his current cv and potential. The bad things are: Kenny Clark gone and big salary. I hope that coaches saw the answer for the lack of Kenny and I hope Russ Ball found the answer for Parson's contract. Regular Joe like me knows nothing about what is going on on Lombardi Ave.

I am not the type of person who would jump into the air just because finally we've made the splash move. I like our philosophy of draft and develop + select best fits from the available veterans. The more quiet you are the further you go. But Parsons really could be a HoF if his career continues the current path. For such value it is clear we need to devote something and make some salary cap gymnastics. We didn't get him for free but we didn't forfeit the farm. As for today: I like it.

I wrote the other day that Gutekunst just might pull the trigger on a Micah Parsons trade. People around here did not want to hear it. “Ooh the price is too high, ooh think of the cap repercussions.”

Well it happened. Now there’s nothing left for you vicarious cheapskates and draft choice fetishists to do but suck it up and cheer on the Packers. Go Pack go!

What happens if Clark says the hell with it and retires rather wanting to play for Cowboys. Heard that rumor and wonder if it happens, then what?

A goal of every General Manager should be to stock his team with the best players he can get. In this case Gute made a move in acquiring one of the very best defensive players in the NFL who is a "Difference Maker" and should cause offensive coordinators around the league to game plan Parsons when they go head to head against this Green Bay Packers team.

Is Parsons worth Picket plus the Packer two upcoming 1st round picks?
Little research on recent 1st round picks at number 27th assuming the Packers don't win the Super Bowl. The 27th picks seem to be around the right place for the Packers in this comparison:

2024: Darious Robinson, edge, was the 27 pick. Plays for Arizona Cardinals. One sack, four solo tackles, and six assists Link: https://www.google.com/search?q=Darius+Robinson&rlz=1C1GGRV_enUS751US752...

2023: Anton Harrison, offensive tackle, was the 27th pick and plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Started 16 games as a rookie and 16 games last year. Good run blocker and durable. solid player thus far. Link: https://www.google.com/search?q=Anton+Harrison&rlz=1C1GGRV_enUS751US752&...

Hard to find a Parsons in any draft, but in these two instances both players made the team and Harrison looks like a long term starter who is around average which is nothing to sneeze at. The Cowboys getting Kenny Clark who is a solid player on the field and a positive influence in both the community and locker room is good. He is of course in the latter portion of his career so his performance level may wane soon.

I'm not making any calls on the acquisition, I just wanted to point out what players who are drafted in the latter portion of the first round tend to look like.