GREEN BAY, Wis. – Micah Parsons, the Green Bay Packers’ star defensive end, is known for his relentless pursuit of quarterbacks. However, through five games in the 2025 season, the big trade to bring Parsons to Green Bay has not yielded the expected results in sacks or holding penalties drawn. Parsons, frustrated by what he perceives as unfair officiating, didn’t mince words, calling the situation “bull****” after Thursday’s practice.
A Frustrating Start
The Packers rank 20th in sack percentage, a significant drop from last season’s 10th-place finish. Even more striking, only two teams have drawn fewer holding penalties than Green Bay this year, compared to being among the top three in 2024. Parsons, with only 2.5 sacks but ranking fourth in the NFL in pressures, believes officiating is a major factor.
“It’s just one of them things,” Parsons said. “Five years of not getting a call, you eventually stop worrying about it. I think I just got to keep going. That’s the hunt, yeah. That’s part of the challenge.”
Officiating Under Fire
Parsons argues that referees are inconsistent, quick to penalize defensive infractions like offsides or pass interference while letting offensive holding slide. “They don’t call offsides for offense, but they’ll call it on defense. They won’t call offensive pass interference, but they’ll call defensive pass interference immediately,” he said. “We know what they’re trying to do. They want to load the points up so fans can be happy.”
He recounted egregious missed calls, including an instance where an offensive lineman pulled him to the ground. “A man pulled me to the ground. I feel like those types of things, in those situations, need to be called,” Parsons said. “They won’t hesitate to call me for a neutral zone infraction or call me offsides.”
Last week, Parsons suffered a popped blood vessel in his face due to an uncalled hands-to-the-face penalty. “They just shrug it off,” he said of the officials. To protect himself, he’s resorted to wearing a new facemask and additional rib protection to counter chip blocks.
A League Favoring Offense?
Parsons likens his situation to NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, who was often denied fouls because of his physical dominance. Similarly, Parsons believes offensive linemen get a “helping hand” against him because of his elite skill. “If your team holds, they should get better tackles, better guards. Sh**, don’t blame that on us,” he said.
The numbers support his frustration. The Packers are on pace for just 20 holding penalties this season, down from 27 last year. At home, the disparity is even worse: 1.88 holding calls per game at Lambeau Field in 2024 versus 0.67 this season. Meanwhile, Parsons’ former team, the Dallas Cowboys, continues to benefit from similar penalty numbers as last year, with 27 in 2024 and a projected 25.5 in 2025.
A Call for Fairness
Parsons isn’t asking for preferential treatment—just fairness. “I just want them to call it both ways,” he said. “The ones that are close, that’s football. It’s combative. I get it. But the egregious ones need to be called. That’s how guys get hurt.” He pointed out the league’s emphasis on protecting offensive players, like fining defenders for targeting, while defensive players remain vulnerable. “A defensive end can be rushing and engaged with another player, and the guy can come blow his ribs out, and we’re not considered defenseless,” he said.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur acknowledges the issue, occasionally sending clips of missed calls to the league and discussing concerns with officials pregame. However, he avoids public lobbying, noting it’s “frowned upon” in the NFL. Parsons agrees it wouldn’t help: “The refs are going to call what they call. All we can do is just hope we get called a fair game.”
Protecting All Players
Parsons’ frustration boils down to a broader issue: player safety. He argues that the NFL’s rules disproportionately protect offensive players while leaving defenders exposed to dangerous plays, like chip blocks or headshots from linemen. “If you’re going to say it’s about protecting players, then protect all players,” he said. “You want to fine guys for putting their head down, but you can be engaged with an offensive tackle and a guard can put his head right into your head. What are we talking about here?”
Despite the challenges, Parsons remains focused. “I don’t want to start the game off like, ‘Hey, am I going to get a hold today?’” he said. “I’m just going to have to keep going, push through it.” His determination to overcome what he sees as an unfair playing field underscores his status as one of the NFL’s best, even if the calls don’t always reflect it.