The Green Bay Packers' trade for Micah Parsons looked like a heist from the moment it happened. It aged well after he registered 12.5 sacks in 12 games and transformed the Packers' defense.
Now, as teams prepare for the heavy roster-building phase of the offseason with free agency and the NFL Draft, Green Bay's decision to make an all-in move for Parsons continues to look lopsided in their favor. The Packers need pass-rush help, but they're after complementary pieces to build around Parsons. They no longer require an aggressive move for a superstar.
The Dallas Cowboys do. They need a Micah Parsons. So, too, do many teams in the NFL. And based on how the potential pass-rush options are shaping up this offseason, it's fair to say Packers GM Brian Gutekunst hit a home run.
ESPN's Ben Solak ranked the deepest position groups available in free agency and the NFL Draft, placing edge-rusher at No. 1, but with an important caveat.
Solak notes that it's a good offseason to need "any sort of edge rusher at all." However, crucially, he adds that it's a bad year for teams needing "a truly elite dude."
Micah Parsons trade continues to look even better for the Green Bay Packers
Many teams need "a truly elite dude." That includes the NFC North-champion Chicago Bears. A pass-rusher like Parsons would turn them into serious Super Bowl contenders. The Cowboys, who strangely allowed Parsons to leave, also need a star pass-rusher.
Maxx Crosby is the name to watch. Packers fans can only hope he doesn't land in Chicago, but outside of the five-time Pro Bowler, opportunities to land a true game-changing pass-rusher will be limited this offseason.
Dallas has put itself behind the eight ball by trading away an all-world player. To truly replace Parsons, it will need to either win the lottery in the draft or burn multiple premium draft picks for a star like Crosby. It only makes the Parsons deal look even better for the Packers.
As Solak notes, there are talented pass-rushers in free agency, complemented by a deep group in the draft. There are plenty of players capable of filling the No. 2 edge-rusher role, which the Packers desperately need, but precious few true game-wreckers.
Gutekunst saw an opportunity once Parsons became available, and he went all-in to make it happen.
Sure, it cost the Packers two first-round picks and Kenny Clark, but if there's ever a year to not have a first-round pick, it's in 2026. Many very good players will hear their name called in Round 1, but how many will become truly elite talents? That's less clear.
It's especially true at edge-rusher, where teams can load up on depth but may struggle to find a player capable of consistently posting double-digit sacks.
The Packers already have that in Parsons. They now need to build around him. Based on how free agency and the draft are shaping up, they are perfectly positioned to do just that. Sign a veteran like Khalil Mack, then use a Day 2 pick on another edge defender, and the Packers can transform their pass rush.
Superstars like Parsons don't become available every day. This upcoming free agency and draft class proves that. The Packers took advantage of a rare opportunity, and it looks even better now than it did in August.