J.J. McCarthy could become the real deal.
The Vikings have a new devil to worry about after a certain defender landed in the division, setting up another daunting challenge for Minnesota.
While that forecast can still be true, the plot thickened on Thursday, one week before the start of the 2025 regular season, when the Green Bay Packers acquired Micah Parsons via trade.
The Dallas Cowboys would not cave to Parsons’ utterly gargantuan asking price, and owner Jerry Jones shipped him to Wisconsin.
Micah Parsons Is the New Public Enemy No. 1 for the Vikings
Of course, of all teams in the NFL to land Micah Parsons, it had to be the Packers.
 during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/USATSI_19083124_168394844_lowres.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/USATSI_19083124_168394844_lowres.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/USATSI_19083124_168394844_lowres.jpg” alt=”Micah Parsons on the field for the Cowboys against the Bengals.”><figcaption>Dallas Cowboys linebacker M. Parsons (11) is pictured during the matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sep 18, 2022, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Parsons anchored the Dallas defense as the Cowboys battled the AFC opponent in the regular-season contest. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<h3>Packers Unbelievably Land Micah Parsons via Trade</h3>
<p>The news rocked the NFL, as ESPN’s <a href=)
Adam Schefter tweeted, “ESPN Sources: Cowboys are trading three-time All-Pro LB Micah Packers to the Green Bay Packers. Parsons and the Packers already have reached agreement on a four-year, $188 million contract.”
“David Mulugheta of Athletes first had a hand in the trade and ultimately negotiating the record-breaking contract that includes $120 million fully guaranteed at signing and makes Parsons the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history.”
The cost? That’s the ridiculous part. Onlookers waited for the deal’s details to come through during the minutes after the Schefter tweet, expecting three 1st-Rounders and probably a player for Parsons. But NFL media revealed that Green Bay pried Parsons away from Dallas for two 1st-Rounders and nose tackle Kenny Clark.
For crossover NBA fans, the deal felt like Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers all over again.
A Steal of a Deal for the Vikings’ Foremost Rival
While two 1st-Round picks and Clark aren’t cheap or menial, almost every NFL fan on the planet would’ve endorsed that trade for her favorite team if it meant catching a big fish in Parsons. Every last one.
Most thought the franchise that received Parsons would have to define new norms with such a trade. In the end, the Cowboys shipped Parsons away for less than Jamal Adams fetched in a swap involving the New York Jets and Seattle Seahawks five years ago.
The catch? Well, Green Bay turned around and handed Parsons a contract worth $180 million over the next four years. He’ll earn $47 million per season, absolutely shattering the current EDGE market. For the next few years, the Packers’ salary cap will be completely tied up in quarterback Jordan Love and Micah Parsons.
per EPA/Play. The group did not struggle.
Now, with Parsons in the mix, the unit can soar even higher and probably contend with the Vikings and Denver Broncos for the NFL’s top unit. Green Bay’s cornerbacks are still unusually suspect, but a Packer fan might tell you that a team doesn’t need All-Pro corners if Parsons is wreaking havoc on the front end.
 and Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Micah Parsons (11) in action during the game between the Washington Football Team and the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/USATSI_17524496.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/USATSI_17524496.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/USATSI_17524496.jpg” alt=”Sam Cosmi blocks Micah Parsons during Cowboys vs. Washington in 2021.”><figcaption>Washington offensive tackle Sam Cosmi (76) blocks Dallas Cowboys linebacker M. Parsons (11) during the game on Dec 26, 2021, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Parsons pressured the quarterback throughout the divisional matchup as Dallas pursued a late-season victory. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p><em>FTN’s Fantasy</em>‘s <a href=)
Aaron Schatz claimed Thursday that Green Bay’s defense went from 14th-best in his preseason DVOA rankings to sixth-best due to the trade alone. A stunning rise.
Balance of Power Shift per Oddsmakers
What’s more, the trade flipped the balance of power in the NFC North. Green Bay had around +275 odds to win the division before the deal; now they’re the frontrunner:
- Packers: +165
- Lions: +190
- Vikings: +330
- Bears: +600
The change marks the first time the Lions haven’t been favored to take the North in about three seasons.
More Parsons to Wisconsin
NFL.com‘s Kevin Patra opined on the trade, “Brian Gutekunst put his draft picks where his mouth is. The Packers GM said in January that his club needed to ‘ramp up’ the urgency to chase Super Bowl trophies. Then he walked the walk, making the biggest splash of the year on the eve of the season. Parsons takes the Packers from good to great.”
“Sure, it wasn’t cheap, but players of this caliber simply do not become available in their prime. Green Bay snagging the annual Defensive Player of the Year candidate is sure to conjure comparisons to Mike Holmgren wooing Reggie White to Titletown back in 1993, except White was 31. Parsons is 26.”
The Vikings will first see Parsons in a Packers uniform, barring injury, right before Thanksgiving. November 23rd.
 reacts after making a sack in the first quarter against the New York Jets at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/USATSI_21444648-1.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/USATSI_21444648-1.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/USATSI_21444648-1.jpg” alt=”Micah Parsons celebrates after a first-quarter sack against the Jets.”><figcaption>Dallas Cowboys linebacker M. Parsons (11) reacts after recording a sack in the first quarter against the New York Jets on Sep 17, 2023, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Parsons energized the home crowd with the early defensive play. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>“Adding Parsons fills one of the biggest needs for the Packers heading into the season: pass rush. Sliding him alongside Rashan Gary gives Green Bay the potential for a devastating duo up front. The Packers were already a good bet to make the postseason; now their chips are all in on a Lombardi bid. Gutekunst got his alpha. Sick of the Cowboys’ negotiating tactics, Parsons pushed his way out of Dallas and into a record-setting payday,” Patra continued.</p>
<p>“The edge rusher played nice for most of the offseason, showing up to workouts and initially saying all the right things. His trade request was met mostly with apathy. He showed his pull, and he got the massive contract. Win, win.”</p>
<p>Parsons’ new contract also seismically shifted the NFL’s landscape, with EDGE rushers’ salaries set to hit new heights and further approach <a href=)
quarterback money.
