Green Bay Packers: Micah Parsons drops 4 spots in ESPN list of the top 100 NFL players
· Yahoo Sports
One of the biggest questions regarding the Green Bay Packers as the 2026 NFL season draws close is how good their defense is going to be. Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley left to be the head coach of the Miami Dolphins. He was replaced by fired Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon, who is bringing back a 3-4 base defense to Green Bay.
A new defensive system always makes fans wonder how effective that side of the ball will be, especially to start the season. These questions are compounded by the fact that All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons is starting the year on the PUP list.
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Green Bay Packers All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons is named the 13th-best player in the NFL
Oct 19, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) is sacked by Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Micah Parsons (1) in the second half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Acquired via trade by the Packers right before the start of the regular season last year, Parsons had 12.5 sacks in 14 games played in 2025. Unfortunately, his season ended prematurely after he suffered a torn ACL. This is the injury that is keeping him out for at least the first four games of 2026.
Still, ESPN believes he is one of the best players in the league, listing him 13th on their list of the top 100 NFL players:
“Former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley said he would bet Parsons ‘comes back even better and probably breaks the sack record next year.’ When reminded that Parsons will likely miss at least the first month of the season because of the torn ACL, Hafley said ‘give Micah adversity and watch what happens.’
“While the chances of Parsons getting to Myles Garrett’s record of 23 sacks seem remote, if not impossible, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Parsons reached double digits.”
It is worth noting that the only pass rusher/defensive lineman ranked higher on ESPN’s list than Parsons is reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, who they declared the absolute best player in the NFL.
If Parsons can return after the first four games of the season and stay healthy for the rest of the year, he would have an excellent shot at getting 12 sacks for the sixth time in his six-year career. Last season, he joined Reggie White as the only two players to record at least 12 in their first five NFL seasons.
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Oct 12, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons (1), defensive end Lukas Van Ness (90) and defensive end Rashan Gary (52) pressure Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) during the game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: William Glasheen-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images- Packers already declared winner of the Zaire Franklin trade following questionable Colts roster move
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