The Green Bay Packers' defense seemed to strike gold in 2024 with the signing of Xavier McKinney, who ended the year with a career-high eight interceptions. He was a cornerstone in the new turnover-focused defense schemed up by defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. Now, with Micah Parsons coming via a trade with the Dallas Cowboys, Hafley has made it clear that the team will be doubling down on creating turnovers.
The addition of Parsons will allow the Packers to create more pressure on the quarterback, increasing the potential for more turnover-worthy plays. The 26-year-old earned 12 sacks in 13 games last year and ranked third in pass rush win-rate among all edge rushers. This meant he was one of the best at getting to the quarterback within 2.5 seconds.
The Packers' final preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks showcased how a powerful defense can keep opponents off the field with an onslaught of turnovers. Green Bay recovered five fumbles, forcing two of them as well as benefitting from a muffed punt and a dropped shotgun snap by Seattle's rookie quarterback Jalen Milroe.
These plays allowed the offense to take the field and remain in control for a 20-7 victory.
The Packers produced the fourth-most turnovers in the league last season, with 19 interceptions and 14 fumbles, but Hafley still isn't satisfied. A goal has been set: force the most turnovers in the NFL.
"We took the ball away last year. We didn't force enough fumbles," Hafley said a month ago. "That's not good enough."
Micah Parsons is going to take turnover-hunting Packers to another stratosphere
Parsons' arrival is only going to make that task far easier for the Packers.
The turnover-heavy preseason performance in Lambeau Field might have been the final push some players needed to earn a spot on the 53-man roster, which was announced on Tuesday. Linebacker Ty'Ron Hopper couldn't have chosen a better time to make an impact, forcing a fumble at the beginning of the second quarter. Hopper ended up making the roster over former top-10 pick Isaiah Simmons.
The Packers have been practicing the art of forcing fumbles throughout training camp. Hoping to catch ball carriers off guard, punch-outs have been a point of order.
If Parsons can pair the punch-out approach with his skill of getting to the backfield quickly, look out. The edge-rusher forced two fumbles last season, with one coming in a showdown against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Hafley wants more turnovers, and Parsons will help them accomplish that goal. The stock of the Packers' defense is pointing directly upward.