X’s and O’s with LeRoy Butler: How Micah Parsons will be a game changer
LeRoy Butler breaks down several of the ways defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley can use Micah Parsons based on the way he was used in Dallas.
The Green Bay Packers–Detroit Lions rivalry has certainly amped up in recent years.
And Micah Parsons isn’t wasting any time in adding his voice to it.
On Sept. 4, one week after he joined the Packers in a blockbuster trade from the Dallas Cowboys and just days away from Green Bay’s season opener against the Lions, Parsons didn’t hide how he feels about his Week 1 opponent.
“I’m excited to play them,” Parsons said at his locker. “I never liked Detroit. I never liked them even when I was in Dallas. It was just always a heavyweight fight (the Cowboys went 2-1 against the Lions in the last three seasons with Parsons). Excited to play them. I know they’re excited. It’s going to go all 12 to 15 rounds.”
“I’ve never liked Detroit. I’ve never liked them. Even when I was in Dallas.”
Micah Parsons will have no problem fitting in with #Packers. He also calls trick plays a “scared tactic.”
“Trick plays are for people who can’t beat you straight up.” pic.twitter.com/NJr0y02ysf
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) September 4, 2025
Expect Dan Campbell’s team to fight back.
They usually do on and off the field.
Last year, Pro Bowl wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown arrived to Lambeau Field for the Week 9 game wearing a “GreenBay Sucks” sweatshirt.
And we can’t forget about Lions safety Kerby Joseph and Packers tight end Tucker Kraft having words for each other. Or the time Packers head coach Matt LaFleur and a Lions fan even got into it last year at Ford Field.
After Parsons dissed Detroit, he was then asked about trick plays, which the Lions can do better than anyone.
Again, Parsons didn’t mince his words.
“Trick plays are for people who can’t beat you straight up,” Parsons claims. “It’s like a guy running around the ring trying to jab. Meet me in the middle. Let’s line it up.
“That’s what guys who do trick plays try to do. They can’t beat you head up. They don’t want to out-physical you, they don’t want to be dominant. It’s a scared tactic.”
Whatever it is, it’s worked for the Lions. Detroit has owned the Packers of late, defeating Green Bay in five of the last six matchups, including a sweep in 2024.
The talk will be over Sept. 4 when the games begin and Parsons lines up for the first time with the Packers against the Lions.