In arguably the biggest non-draft acquisition since Reggie White, the Green Bay Packers have committed to NOW. The challenge for Packer Nation will be the increased expectations. This move isn’t to win a (singular) Super Bowl. This is to win multiple rings in the next 4 years. It’s a good thing. The team was trending to win a Super Bowl in this 4-year window prior to acquiring the best, youngest pass rusher in the NFL, however now that Parsons is here, it’s go time!
Akin to Reggie White, Parsons is the only player to have 12+ sacks in each of his first four NFL seasons, and with Green Bay acquiring him, it elevates the already heightened urgency at 1265 Lombardi Ave. Speaking of Lombardi, Micah Parsons will be the first Packer to don #1 since Curly Lambeau…drawing even more attention and expectations. All in all, this makes the Packers a much better team, but it came at a significant cost; two 1st round draft picks (2026 & 2027); DT Kenny Clark. While Clark seems old, he’s only 29 and likely has another 3-4 prime seasons left. If he doesn’t, then the trade favors Green Bay even more. The upside to this trade is that drafting/developing a Hall of Fame player is already hard enough, so when you can acquire one, it always helps.
This move may have happened due to Packers new President, Ed Policy, essentially communicating that “we’ll see” about Head Coach Matt Lafleur’s and General Manager Brian Gutekunst’s job security. That likely upped the urgency for them to make a splash now vs. waiting to see if the roster they rebuilt is in line to accomplish a goal worthy of hanging a banner in Lambeau Field – winning a World Championship.
2025 NFL Season…How Will It Play Out?
The NFL season kicks off tonight with the defending champs, the Philadelphia Eagles taking on the circus of the Dallas Cowboys. While Green Bay gave up quite a bit, the return of a 26-year old, Hall of Fame-pace, edge rusher seems like quite the deal…for the Packers. Most of the NFL world was shocked, as I was, to see Green Bay land Micah Parsons for only two 1st round picks and an aging DT in Kenny Clark. Leave it to Jerry Jones to bring the attention to the Cowboys, something they succeed at, consistently, whether it’s good or not.
How will the season shake out? Will Philly win back-to-back? Will Kansas City keep their reign of supremecy over the AFC? Maybe this is the year Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen finally get over the Chief hurdle and make the Super Bowl.
I, as every year, went through every game for every team, selecting a winner and loser so their records are appropriate based off those selections. Keep in mind, these records may be accurate, but it’s more likely the seeding is a bit more accurate than the records resemble.
I expect Detroit to have a bit of a setback, yes due to both coordinators leaving, but they’ve been riding high for 2 seasons and I believe Washington exposed Detroit in the Divisional Round last year. Detroit seems vulnerable to aggressive offenses…they’re still a very good team, but I don’t believe they’ll earn the 1-seed and will be in a fight for the division.
Buffalo is another team that may struggle a bit more than seasons past and while still very talented and well-coached, will likely “struggle” relative to what the Bills have been. There are always surprise teams, but there are teams I expect to take a jump. Most notably the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos. Both teams seem to be trending strongly in the right direction and put up a decent showing last season.
Wild Card Round
There are some great matchups, and I believe that San Francisco will be one of the strongest teams in the NFL this year and will show it by knocking off Detroit for the second time in 3 years. The Packers will get the up-and-coming Commanders, but must hold homefield advantage when they can…we shall see.
Divisional Round
The Packers have a chance at retribution against San Francisco, ideally beating them in a home playoff game and giving Shanahan a much-needed loss…considering Rodgers is no longer quarterbacking the Packers, this is a likely scenario.
Championship Sunday
One of the best sports days of the year, Championship Sunday. This poses rematches, on the AFC side a repeat of the 2021 (Jan ’22) AFC title game, and Burrow gets it done again. Sending the Bengals to the Super Bowl for the second time in four seasons. In the NFC, another Packers v Eagles playoff matchup. Expect the Packers to put forth greater execution, but the Eagles’ offensive line and Saquon Barkely are too much to handle with the absense of Kenny Clark and TJ Slaton on the D-line. This would set up a great star-studded matchup between Joe Burrow and Jalen Hurts.
Philadelphia has the best roster for postseason success – a great defense, the best offensive line, the best running back, and a capable QB that is responsible with the football. That puts so much pressure on the opposition to be perfect and when there’s pressure to be perfect you get execution akin to the Packers in Philadelphia in last year’s Wild Card. The Eagles pose a huge threat to Cincinnati’s deficiencies (rush D and defense overall) that Burrow will want to get into a shootout, but Philly typically dictates the pace of the game and can win in any manner. The Eagles will hoist the Lombardi trophy once again…then again, I’ve been wrong many times before.
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