Micah Parsons is everything the Green Bay Packers could've ever hoped for. A game-changer. A difference-maker. Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley compared him to New York Yankees legend Mariano Rivera for his ability to close out games.
Another player who fits that description is Cleveland Browns pass-rusher Myles Garrett, who has an incredible 18 sacks in the opening 11 games, with his sights set on the NFL single-season record. Garrett shared some words of encouragement to Parsons before he delivered a dominant 2.5-sack performance in the Packers' Thanksgiving victory over the Detroit Lions.
"Myles is somebody who has been so good to me," Parsons said, via Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. "He reached out this morning and was like, 'I hope you go be great.'"
Micah Parsons reveals the message Myles Garrett sent him before Packers' big Thanksgiving win
Parsons sure did.
With 2.5 more sacks on Thursday, Parsons increased his season tally to 12.5. He's on pace to shatter his own career best of 14, which he achieved with the Dallas Cowboys in 2023. Parsons is up to No. 3 in the NFL for sacks before the rest of the Week 13 action, but he's a long way off from Garrett's unbelievable 18. Is Parsons hoping Garrett will slow down?
"Nah, nah. I don't pray against my elders," he said.
It's a great answer. Parsons can't worry about that. He wishes his fellow pass-rusher and friend well, but all Parsons can do is focus on his own game. And let's be real: he couldn't have made much of a bigger impact for the Packers.
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Parsons has an incredible 10 sacks in his past seven games. Even when he's not hitting the quarterback, the All-Pro generates consistent pressure and terrifies offenses. The Lions smartly threw everyone at him, but any time Parsons received a one-on-one matchup, it was game over.
Last week, Parsons became only the second player since the league started recording sacks to make at least 10 in each of his first five seasons, joining Packers legend Reggie White. His 12.5 sacks tie Lionel Aldridge for the 18th-most in a single season in Packers history, and he still has five games to go.
At his current pace, Parsons could compete for a spot near the top of the Packers' single-season rankings. Tim Harris recorded a franchise record 19.5 sacks in 1989. Parsons is on course for 17.7 — it's impossible to have 0.7 of a sack, of course, so let's round it up to 18. Not bad at all.
Garrett has his sights set firmly on the NFL record of 22.5, which is shared by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt.
Parsons might not catch Garrett, but he could lead the Packers on a deep playoff run. And Garrett is fully behind him.