What you're seeing is real, Packers fans: Micah Parsons is really in green and gold, and Green Bay suddenly has legitimate hopes of winning the NFC and perhaps winning another game afterward.
Whether the Parsons era brings another Lombardi Trophy back to the city Vince Lombardi called home during his head coaching career is unknown. What the Packers do know is they have one of the NFL's most feared defensive players under contract through 2029 after a blockbuster trade with the Cowboys executed a week before the start of the season.
Parsons donned a new number when he first took the field as a Packer — a number not worn by any member of the team in nearly a century.
Here's what you need to know about Parsons' new number and its history in Green Bay.
MORE: Everything to know about Micah Parsons' net worth
What number is Micah Parsons?
After wearing No. 11 in Dallas, Parsons chose to wear No. 1 with the Packers.
The number has a special significance in Packers history, as it had not been worn since team co-founder Curly Lambeau donned No. 1 in 1925 and 1926. The number was never formally retired, but WR Jayden Reed was told as recently as 2023 that it was unavailable.
That Parsons was able to secure No. 1 speaks to how highly the Packers view him. Not only did the team give up two first-round picks and a respected defensive player to get him, but Green Bay made him easily the NFL's highest-paid defensive player and handed out a jersey number that could have been considered unofficially retired before this season.
Here is a look at the reason Parsons couldn't keep wearing No. 11.
MORE: Key moments from Micah Parsons' Packers debut
Why is Micah Parsons No. 1?
Parsons' No. 11, which he wore in college and with the Cowboys, is already being worn by Jayden Reed. Parsons could have attempted to work out a deal to acquire No. 11 from Reed, but he instead took advantage of the unprecedented opportunity to break a nearly 100-year drought and wear No. 1.
Before choosing No. 1, Parsons actually took the decision to the people, posing the question on X: "Should I go 0 or 1!" he asked.
Should I go 0 or 1!
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) August 29, 2025
Whether Parsons took the responses into serious consideration or not, he landed on No. 1. Rookie WR Matthew Golden, meanwhile, switched from No. 22 to No. 0 with Parsons taking No. 1, explaining that he had always wanted to wear a single-digit number.
Since the Packers turned down Reed's request to wear No. 1 in 2023, it doesn't seem likely the team would have allowed Golden to wear No. 1. By picking No. 1, Parsons ensured he, Golden and Reed are all satisfied with their jersey numbers.
BENDER: Will Parsons be Reggie White 2.0 for Packers?
Micah Parsons jersey number history
Parsons wore No. 11 during his time at Penn State and throughout his four seasons with the Cowboys. With Reed holding No. 11 in Green Bay, Parsons chose to switch to a different number for the first time since high school.
Parsons initially wore No. 90 in high school before switching to No. 23. At Penn State, he settled on No. 11 and wore it until his trade to the Packers in 2025.
| Level/Team | Jersey number |
| High school | No. 90, No. 23 |
| College | No. 11 |
| Cowboys | No. 11 |
| Packers | No. 1 |
MORE: Ranking the 17 greatest Packers players of all time