Micah Parsons’ first season with the Green Bay Packers after being traded from the Dallas Cowboys was a defining chapter in his career. The Packers acquired the All-Pro edge rusher in August, sending two first-round picks and Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark to Dallas in a blockbuster trade.
Parsons immediately signed a four-year, $188 million extension, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. In his debut campaign in Green Bay, he continued his run of pass-rushing success with 12.5 sacks, despite missing time late in the season due to a torn ACL sustained in Week 15 against the Denver Broncos. Parsons’ presence had an impact on the Pack’s pass rush and helped elevate the unit before the injury.
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Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons.Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)
While Parsons’ first season in Green Bay ended prematurely, he made history by becoming the first player in NFL history to record at least 12 sacks in each of his first five seasons. During the season, he also earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors in Week 7 with a three-sack performance.
As Parsons enters Year 2 in Green Bay, the star pass rusher will be working with a new defensive coordinator. On Monday, the Packers officially announced the hiring of Jonathan Gannon as their new defensive coordinator, replacing Jeff Hafley, who became the head coach of the Miami Dolphins.
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Gannon, 42, arrives with a resume that includes two seasons as the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive coordinator, where his units ranked among the league’s best in points and yards allowed before he took the Arizona Cardinals head-coaching job, recording a 15-36 record in three seasons at the helm. Gannon’s experience coordinating top defenses should benefit a Packers unit built around playmakers like Parsons.
In 2025, Green Bay’s defense finished with 360 points allowed (21.2 per game), ranking 11th in the NFL, showing the unit’s overall strength even as injuries impacted its late-season finish.
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Gannon’s arrival could sharpen the Packers’ schematic approach and maximize Parsons’ impact once he returns from injury. His pedigree suggests an emphasis on disciplined fronts, coverage versatility and situational pressure, all areas that could unlock even more production from Parsons and stabilize Green Bay’s defense as it prepares for another competitive push in 2026.
Related: Packers Star’s ‘First Message’ to Micah Parsons After Unfortunate Injury
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 2, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.