Former Penn State star Micah Parsons flashes in Week 2 Green Bay win, and he's ready for more action

A version of this story will appear in the next Blue-White Illustrated magazine, which hits newsstands and mailboxes next week! Penn State fans can learn more about subscription options by clicking here.

Two games into his stay with the Green Bay Packers, even former Penn State All-American and multi-time All-Pro Micah Parsons, who had his request for a trade honored by the Dallas Cowboys shortly before the 2025 NFL season started, is probably surprised by how well it’s going. The Harrisburg, Pa., native and fourth-year pro defender is not yet playing as many snaps as possible following an offseason in his old home that featured limited work while he waited for a new contract that eventually came, albeit from a new team.

Parsons was electric in Green Bay’s 28-17 Thursday Night Football win over the Washington Commanders on Sept. 12. He finished with two tackles, three quarterback hits, and half of a sack in his team’s second win of the season. Parsons often does much more than what the stat sheet indicates, and that was the case in Week 2. He constantly harassed second-year Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels and drew one holding penalty on the Commanders. There’s no doubt he could have drawn more. 

“What I’ve been telling everyone: defense wins championships,” Parsons said on Sept. 11, per NFL.com. “[Jordan] Love, you know, you give us 20 points, we should be able to win that game. It’s all about getting stops and getting the ball back to the offense.

“As y’all have seen against Baltimore and Buffalo, you can have a quarterback damn near have a perfect game and still lose because guess what, the defense just gave up, what, 40 points? So, defense wins championships. I think the fans like points and they like to see the big plays, but when you play great defense it’s just so beautiful to see.”

More: Penn State 3-2-1: Depth battles, offensive rhythm, and what to expect vs. Villanova

Through two weeks, Parsons has three tackles and 1.5 sacks. He is now the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. After Green Bay sent Dallas defensive tackle Kenny Clark plus two first round picks to acquire Parsons in August, it extended the defender by giving him a five-year, $210 million dollar deal. More than $120 million of it is guaranteed. 

Parsons’ role only figures to grow as he gets closer and closer to his normal game shape, starting with a meeting with the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 21. And, that ought to scare opponents this year. Because, the still-ramping-up version is pretty darn good.

“I just hope I’m full-go,” Parsons said, again per NFL.com. “Honestly, it’s pissing me off. I tell them it does more worse than good. I get tight and stuff. Hopefully they just let me off, man. Can’t hold a dog back forever.“The best defenses do it consistently. Consistency equals greatness. We had a great start, so I’m just happy about that. We can be a great defense. It’s just up to us to continue to push and strive for that.”