Micah Parsons Named NFL's 'Best Defensive Player' by Exec After Packers-Cowboys Trade

Star edge rusher Micah Parsons is expected to make an immediate impact for the Green Bay Packers after being acquired from the Dallas Cowboys in the biggest blockbuster trade of the offseason.

One league executive told The Athletic's Jeff Howe that they feel the Packers landed a major commodity when they completed the trade for Parsons.

"I think he's the best defensive player in the league, and he just got traded," the exec said.

Howe conducted a poll of NFL coaches and executives for the best defensive player in the league entering the 2025 season. Parsons received three out of the 30 votes, finishing fourth in the poll behind Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett (17), Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt (4) and Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (4).

While Parsons was selected to his fourth straight Pro Bowl in 2024, he was limited to 13 games due to injury and finished with career lows of 43 total tackles and 12 sacks. He made it clear that he's ready to bounce back in a big way in his first year in Green Bay.

"Y'all don't understand how excited I am to be here," Parsons said during his introductory press conference, per ESPN's Rob Demovsky. "I hope they understand the type of player that's going to come into this building every day to get better."

Parsons and the Packers will start the season on Sunday in a division matchup against the NFC North rival Detroit Lions.