Micah Parsons compares Green Bay Packers to Penn State: 'It's like home'

Micah Parsons is already getting comfortable in his new environment. During his introductory press conference with the Packers on Friday, Parsons revealed how a connection with former Penn State teammate Rasheed Walker helped him warm up to the idea of playing in Green Bay.

“I got the chance to speak with some other guys and faculty about what it could be like if I decided to come here,” Parsons said. “I got to talk to Rasheed [Walker] a little bit. That’s my guy from Penn State, came in together. ‘It’s like Penn State. It’s like home. It’s like a brotherhood. It’s safe. You focus on ball and we keep everything the right thing.’

“It kind of gave me comfort, and it kind of gave me a better decision. Like, ‘OK, this is the place where I feel like I can take my next step and continue to have a great legacy here.'”

Parsons and Walker were teammates at Penn State from 2018-20. Now, the duo will look to find success together again at the professional level.

Parsons was traded from the Cowboys to the Packers on Thursday after having a public contract dispute with Dallas for months. In exchange for Parsons, the Cowboys received defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first-round draft picks (2026 and 2027).

Parsons agreed to a four-year, $188 million contract with the Packers. The contract includes $120 million fully guaranteed at signing and $136 million in total guarantees.

With the deal, Parsons is now the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. Steelers linebacker TJ Watt previously owned that title, earning $41 million per year.

Micah Parsons’ and the Cowboys’ contract negotiations were at a standstill after the three-time All-Pro met with Dallas owner Jerry Jones in March and verbally agreed to a deal. However, when Parsons wanted his agent to be involved in his official, written contract, Jones reportedly grew upset.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Jones had offered Parsons a five-year deal worth $40.5 million annually when the pair met in March. After news broke of Parsons’ trade on Thursday, the former NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year released a heartfelt statement online.

“I never wanted this chapter to end, but not everything was in my control. My heart has always been here, and it still is,” Parsons wrote. “… No matter where the next chapter takes me, the bond we’ve built will never break. Thank you, Cowboys Nation, for every cheer, every moment, and every ounce of love you showed me. Wearing the star has been the honor of my life.”