GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers made waves this week with a blockbuster trade that sent longtime defensive tackle Kenny Clark to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for star pass rusher Micah Parsons. For Rashan Gary, the team’s standout edge rusher, the news was “bittersweet.” Gary learned of the trade directly from Clark, who called him on Thursday afternoon after the Packers’ scrimmage.
“He let me know the news,” Gary said. “Went over to his house, made sure he was straight mentally. Wished him the best of luck, but that’s how I found out.”
As the Packers prepare for their Week 1 showdown against the Detroit Lions, the addition of Parsons could transform their defense—and Gary might be the biggest beneficiary. Entering his seventh NFL season, Gary has been a quality player, earning his first Pro Bowl nod in 2024. However, with 39 sacks in 90 games and a career-high of 7.5 sacks last season, he has yet to establish himself as an elite pass rusher capable of dominating in critical moments.
Micah Parsons, on the other hand, is the definition of elite. In just four seasons and 63 games, Parsons has racked up 52.5 sacks, averaging 0.83 sacks per game—a rate nearly double Gary’s 0.43. Since sacks became an official stat in 1982, Parsons ranks fourth all-time in sacks per game. According to Pro Football Focus, he has generated a league-high 349 pressures over the past four seasons, earning Pro Bowl honors in all four years and at least 12 sacks each season.
The trade addresses a potential weakness in Green Bay’s defense. Last season, the Packers ranked in the top six in total defense, scoring defense, and takeaways, despite lacking a dominant pass rush or a true No. 1 cornerback. With Parsons now anchoring the defensive line alongside Gary, opponents face a daunting challenge. As head coach Matt LaFleur put it, “What are you going to do? Are you chipping both sides? Well, if you are, now you’re not getting as many people out in the route, at least not initially. So, it definitely kind of flips the field in your favor.”
For Gary, the arrival of Parsons means more opportunities to exploit one-on-one matchups. Opponents will likely focus their protection schemes on Parsons, potentially leaving Gary with favorable matchups. “I guess we’re going to see that on the 7th,” Gary said, referring to the upcoming Lions game.
Gary and Parsons, both selected 12th overall in their respective drafts (Gary in 2019, Parsons in 2021), have trained together during the offseason in Dallas. Their familiarity is already paying dividends. At Monday’s practice, Gary began studying Parsons’ rushing style. “Today, just having small groups and periods of time with him, just understanding how he likes to rush,” Gary said. “He can go high, inside counter, through the guy, whatever it may be, but off rip just talking to him, it really don’t matter what side.”
The two share a similar mindset: it’s them against the man across from them. “He said, ‘Man, just go have fun, and if you feel like you’ve got a good matchup on the left side, then I go right,’ and vice-versa,” Gary explained. Their communication and complementary styles could make life miserable for opposing offenses. “They’re really going to have to pick their poison,” Gary said, echoing LaFleur’s sentiment.
The Packers face a tough test in Week 1 against Detroit’s Jared Goff, a quarterback who thrives when given time in the pocket. “If you let him pass the ball away, make it 7-on-7, he’s going to make it a long 60 minutes for us,” Gary said. “Part of the game plan, especially going into this week, is trying to get him off his spot and just making it uncomfortable for him to play quarterback because, whenever he has time, he’ll make you pay.”
With Parsons’ ability to disrupt quarterbacks, Green Bay’s defense could elevate from good to great. Gary didn’t shy away from the potential, laughing when asked if this could be the NFL’s best defense. “It’s scary,” he said. “It’s for sure scary with the pieces that we have, the guys that we have, especially with the mindsets we all have. Especially talking to him today, we’re kind of similar persons in terms of mindset. So, it’s going to be scary for teams, for sure.”
As Gary and Parsons build chemistry, the Packers’ defensive line could become a nightmare for opponents. “Shoot, his play speaks for itself. The name speaks for itself,” Gary said of Parsons. “I feel like the sky’s the limit for him. I feel like the sky’s the limit for our defensive line group. Just can’t wait to see him go.”