Packers make NFL history after trading for Micah Parsons

Tom Gorski

Packers make NFL history after trading for Micah Parsons image

The Green Bay Packers made a huge move on Thursday. They traded with the Dallas Cowboys to get star pass-rusher Micah Parsons, an All-Pro. In return, Green Bay gave up two first-round picks and veteran defensive tackle Kenny Clark.

In exchange, Green Bay gave up two first-round picks and veteran defensive tackle Kenny Clark.

Almost immediately, Parsons signed a four-year, $188 million extension, with $162 million guaranteed. That makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league, averaging $47 million a season.

But the bigger story isn’t just Parsons, the trade, or the contract. It’s the bold, unprecedented move the Packers are making—betting big on a pair of star players in a way no team has ever done before.

The scale of Green Bay’s financial commitment is staggering. No team in NFL history has invested this much in a single defensive duo, signaling the organization is all-in on building a championship roster around elite pass-rushing talent.

Together, Jordan Love and Parsons will earn a combined $102 million annually, making them the first pair in NFL history to surpass the $100 million mark in annual earnings. For context, there are currently 10 duos earning at least $80 million per year, and only one of those tandems has ever won a Super Bowl.

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Last offseason, Jordan Love inked a four-year, $220 million extension. The deal included a record $75 million signing bonus and $155 million in guarantees, putting him near the top of the NFL’s highest-paid quarterbacks. 

Now, with Parsons coming aboard, the Packers are clearly doubling down on their star power.

By betting big on both Love and Parsons, Green Bay is sending a clear message. They are all-in on chasing a Super Bowl. No team in NFL history has committed this much to a single duo, making this move unprecedented. 

All eyes will now be on whether this historic investment delivers on the field.

Tom Gorski

Tom Gorski is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is pursuing a master’s degree in sports media at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. Tom earned his bachelor’s degree in Sports Communications from DePaul University, where he spent two years reporting on the Big East for The DePaulia, the university’s award-winning student newspaper. His background in sports journalism includes positions with 247Sports, the Region Sports Network and Fans First Sports Network, where he covered high school, college and professional sports.