Star player Micah Parsons was concerned about the situation with the Dallas Cowboys, and the wait to resolve his future seemed endless. After receiving treatment on his back, Parsons called his agent, David Mulugheta, to speed up negotiations. Mulugheta was finalizing the details of a transfer and a monumental contract extension with the Green Bay Packers, but Parsons’ impatience grew.
I told him that day, ‘I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I need you to do something soon.’ I haven’t been without playing football for so long since seventh grade.
Micah ParsonsIn a matter of hours, the Packers sent two first-round picks and Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark to the Cowboys. In addition, a four-year, $188 million contract extension with Parsons was finalized, including $120 million guaranteed at the time of signing and a total of $136 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback player in NFL history. This situation arose after a training camp in which Parsons did not set foot on the practice field with the Cowboys.Parsons flew to Green Bay, passed his physical, and signed his contract. He chose the number 1 for his jersey, becoming the second Packers player to wear that number and the first since Curly Lambeau in 1925-26. He had a 24-minute press conference and planned to return to Dallas that night to come back on Sunday and start working with defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. Parsons is hoping his back won’t be an issue.I didn’t want to be in a position where I missed out on opportunities, not only to feed my family, but also for the brotherhood. They wanted me on the field as much as I wanted to be. They see me as an older brother.
Micah ParsonsIf all goes well, he plans to play in the season opener on September 7 against the Detroit Lions.I think I’m physically great. I think I can contribute a lot. I’m going to work with the doctors to create a plan.
Micah ParsonsRegarding the transfer, Parsons stated that neither Jerry Jones nor Stephen Jones informed him about it, but he found out through his agent. He also said that he had no say in his destination, but was happy that it was Green Bay.They didn’t give up what they gave up for me to sit on the bench.
Micah ParsonsThe Packers hadn’t traded a first-round pick for a veteran player since 1992, when they acquired quarterback Brett Favre. General manager Brian Gutekunst, willing to give up two picks and a Pro Bowl player for Parsons, considered it an unlikely situation for most of the negotiations.They don’t understand how excited I am to be here. I hope they understand the type of player that’s going to come to this building every day to get better.
Micah ParsonsBefore the trade, the Packers were considered playoff contenders. After the trade, they improved their chances of winning the Super Bowl and the NFC, solidifying their position as contenders. The Packers haven’t been to the Super Bowl since the 2010 season, but they’ve made the playoffs in five of coach Matt LaFleur’s first six seasons, reaching the NFC Championship game twice.The chances of this happening are quite slim, and I think that was my mindset the whole time, to keep having the conversations because of the player’s uniqueness.
Brian GutekunstI feel like that’s always the expectation here, from the day I was hired. So you just approach it the same way you have in the past. Trying to be the best you can be every day. Trying to get a little better.
Matt LaFleur
