Caleb Williams doesn’t get his wish with Micah Parsons’ updated return date but the latest news bodes well for the Bears
The Chicago Bears got big news on the Micah Parsons front in regards to when the Green Bay Packers top pass rusher aims to return to the field following his ACL tear.
Part 2 of the highly anticipated matchup between Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and Green Bay Packers pass rusher Micah Parsons has been highly discussed all offseason long, and the two have even traded shots back and forth this offseason, but it appears the NFL world will have to wait even longer to see them face off against one another.
When the 2026 regular season was officially announced, the first matchup between the Bears and Packers was scheduled for Week 5 at Lambeau Field. Soon after, it was reported that Parsons was expected to start the season on the PUP list with the earliest he could possibly return being that Week 5 matchup.
However, that continues to not seem likely based on Parsons’ recent update on his potential return date coming off a torn ACL.
Micah Parsons pushes back expected return date, potentially missing Week 5 game vs. Bears
“Parsons told NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger and Stacy Dales that his most optimistic return date is Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 18. That’s not what Green Bay fans wanted to hear, even though it’s a reasonable outcome.” – via A to Z Sports Green Bay’s Wendell Ferreira
Parsons missed each of the last two matchups against the Bears due to his ACL tear and now could be in line to miss a third against Chicago. It’s worth noting Chicago won each of those two games, including the Wild Card Round matchup that sent the Packers packing.
Not having to face Parsons in Week 5 would be ideal, but the Bears have made it known between Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams that they want to face the best opponents possible each and every week. The best version of the Green Bay Packers is one with a healthy Parsons.
“I’ve always thought he was a special player,” Williams recently said on the Up and Adams Show with Kay Adams. “I have nothing against Micah. Watching him when he was at Dallas, I was happy I wasn’t going up against him. And then now obviously I’m going up against him and I’m happy to go up against him now that he’s on the Packers. Wish him a speedy recovery. You’d rather play versus great players. Cream rises to the top. It’s fun playing versus him and the challenge playing versus him. I hope to see him back out on the field soon.”
It’s clear these two have a tremendous amount of respect for each other and can’t wait for the next opportunity to compete head-to-head. However, it’s sounding like that won’t happen again until the Bears and Packers face off on Christmas Day in Week 16 at Soldier Field.
