Packers have the assets to pursue an elite defensive star and still stay on track with their long-term blueprint
The Green Bay Packers are not active to trade for veteran players. While Brian Gutekunst is much more willing than his predecessor Ted Thompson to sign free agents and claim players off waivers, trading is not a tool he’s used much since taking over as the general manager in 2018—bringing Randall Cobb back for a […]
The Green Bay Packers are not active to trade for veteran players. While Brian Gutekunst is much more willing than his predecessor Ted Thompson to sign free agents and claim players off waivers, trading is not a tool he’s used much since taking over as the general manager in 2018—bringing Randall Cobb back for a sixth-rounder was probably the most notable one, and it went beyond this natural roster-building model.
But that doesn’t mean Gutekunst can’t make trades for veterans. It just has to make sense. Dallas Cowboys’ Micah Parsons would be one of those rare exceptions.
“When you trade a high pick for a veteran player, you’re trading a young, really good contract for a player who’s proven, but probably expensive, so you’re giving up a pick and salary cap space,” Gutekunst said after last season. “You gotta weigh that. If it’s the right player, if you can feel he can be a dynamic player that can change your football team, you gotta consider that, because there’s not many of those guys out there. But you also have to understand what you’re giving up.”
In previous instances, the Packers have already shown some level of willingness to pull the trigger. Gutekunst offered a similar package to the then Oakland Raiders to acquire Khalil Mack to the one made by the Chicago Bears in 2018. The same process happened (with worse results for the Bears) with wide receiver Chase Claypool. The Packers were also in the conversation to acquire Will Fuller in 2020, but the Houston Texans wanted a second-rounder for half a season left on his deal.
“We’re really process-driven around here, being in this thing every single year,” Gutekunst added. “You try not to look too far down the road, more than two or three years out, but I’m not a big believer in windows.”
Why Micah Parsons is an exception
Yes, it’s a tough combination of picks and cap space. First, the Dallas Cowboys wouldn’t be inclined to trade Parsons whatsoever. And if they do, it would demand a big offer—starting with two first-round picks, especially for an NFC rival. Parsons will also become the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, with something around $42 million per season.
It’s a lot. But Micah plays a premium position and brings a level of versatility that defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley would love. He’s also 26 years old, which means the Packers would be getting the prime years of his NFL production.
And what Parsons has done so far in the league is truly impressive. He’s had at least 12 sacks in each of his four seasons, including his rookie year where he played mostly as an off-ball linebacker. Last season, he had 12 sacks in 13 games.
It’s not just sack production either. If you evaluate more advanced stats, the numbers are even more impressive. Throughout his first four NFL seasons, Parsons had 330 pressures—Rashan Gary has had 280 in six seasons. Since 2021, not even Myles Garrett (320), Trey Hendrickson (299), and TJ Watt (232) have had as many pressures.
Trade scenarios
Again, the most likely scenario is that Jerry Jones will eventually give up and pay Parsons whatever he wants—like he ended up doing with quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.
However, we had an exercise to evaluate offers, and the Packers could give up a package with two first-rounders and Kingsley Enagbare to the Cowboys—our Dallas writer Mauricio Rodriguez took a Chicago Bears offer that included Montez Sweat.
Three first-round picks would be too much for any non-elite quarterback, so that’s a step the Packers wouldn’t go. But a package with two ones, a rotational edge player, and maybe some mid- or late-round swaps to make the deal more enticing could work.
Nobody should burn picks because they haven’t had success, so the lack of blue-chip talent acquired by Green Bay in the first round must not be a factor in the decision process. Nevertheless, first-round picks are naturally risky propositions—especially late ones. The pay off is huge, for sure, but securing a young elite player is enough reason to motivate a deal like this at a premium position—something harder to justify for Trey Hendrickson, for example, who will be 31 by December.
The Packers would still have several young players and the rest of their picks, with which Gutekunst has had plenty of success, to keep building a strong and balanced roster.
Dallas Cowboys News
Looking at 6 mock trade offers for Micah Parsons: Dallas Cowboys make unconventional deal and receive $98 million player
Everyone wants Micah.
