Why Parsons deal makes Packers Super Bowl contenders
After a long-running contract dispute, the defensive star said last month he wanted to leave Dallas.
And just a week before the start of the new season, his wish was granted.
The 26-year-old has joined the Packers on a four-year deal worth $188m (£139m), replacing TJ Watt as the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback.
BBC pundits are stunned the Cowboys let a player in his prime join one of their rivals and agree the move cements Green Bay as Super Bowl contenders.
The Philadelphia Eagles prevented a Kansas City Chiefs three-peat in February and the defending champions kick off the new campaign at home to Dallas (01:20 BST Friday).
'A generational talent' - 'it's like trading Mahomes'
Speaking on BBC 5 Live, presenter Mark Chapman said the Parsons deal was "one of the most astonishing trades" in recent years.
"Micah Parsons was the guy the Cowboys were building their defence around, he's a generational talent," said NFL pundit Phoebe Schecter.
"It truly is mind-blowing that you'd trade him away a week before the season. That's the soap opera that Jerry Jones continues to create."
A new Netflix documentary showcases Jones, the Cowboys' controversial and charismatic owner, who masterminded three Super Bowl wins in the 1990s but has overseen 30 years of underachievement since.
In the past four seasons, for example, Dallas have managed just one play-off win, despite having one of the NFL's most devastating pass rushers. Since the Cowboys drafted Parsons in 2021, only four players have registered more sacks than him (52.5).
The defensive end had 12 from just 13 games last season, including 4.5 from the Cowboys' two games against Briton Efe Obada's former team, the Washington Commanders.
"Micah Parsons is a game-wrecker," said Obada, who is currently without a team. "I've seen him do it first hand, he wrecked our games last season, even though all week we prepared for [facing] him.
"The fear he sends to offensive coordinators is insane. Just pay your guys, I don't understand it. It's like trading [Patrick] Mahomes. Green Bay got a great one."
Dallas have also sent Parsons to another team in the NFC Conference, one which has been gradually improving since Jordan Love replaced Aaron Rodgers as the Packers' starting quarterback in 2023.
"If you were looking at a weakness for the Packers, it was on defence," said BBC broadcaster Anthony Wootton. "Suddenly you've strengthened one of the teams in your conference, which is ridiculous.
"Micah Parsons is a guy that offensive coordinators have to scheme against, that quarterbacks have to keep an eye on, because he is other-worldly. He has elevated the Packers to the next level."
Schecter added: "Green Bay already had a top-10 defence, they've got a great young quarterback talent and [head coach] Matt LaFleur is an incredibly smart football IQ guy. They've also brought in a guard [Aaron Banks] to help protect Jordan Love and have Josh Jacobs to run the ball."
Burrow to help Bengals bounce back?
How do teams get in the 'Super Bowl window'?
Love has led Green Bay to the play-offs in his first two seasons as a starter. The 26-year-old has moved on from his rookie contract to a big-money deal so now the Packers have an established quarterback, they are trying to fit the pieces around him.
On the first episode of the BBC iPlayer show, The Whole 10 Yards, Green Bay were on a list of nine teams currently in their 'Super Bowl window'.
One team from each conference reaches the big game and the Packers' main contenders in the NFC are seen as the Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, Washington Commanders and defending champions Philadelphia.
In the AFC Conference, Kansas City aim to bounce back after being denied a historic triumph in February, while the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills are also led by MVP-winning quarterbacks.
The Cincinnati Bengals missed out on last season's play-offs but that was down to their defence. Quarterback Joe Burrow led the league for passing yards and touchdown passes, while Ja'Marr Chase earned the receiving triple crown, so the Bengals are still very much in their Super Bowl window.
"Offensively, they've put together an incredible package," added Schecter. "Joe Burrow completely changed that franchise and, with him in town, there's absolutely a chance they can have a Super Bowl run."
Broncos and Rams 'look like they're coming'
Are the Denver Broncos this season's dark horses?
It was also argued on The Whole 10 Yards that perhaps the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams are also in Super Bowl contention, and given their injuries over the past year, perhaps the 49ers' window has now closed.
"They're coming off a disappointing year," said NFL reporter Matt Miller. "With [head coach] Kyle Shanahan, [quarterback] Brock Purdy and [defensive end] Nick Bosa, they have the weapons to be a perennial contender, but they have to stay healthy."
The Rams beat the Bengals in the Super Bowl three years ago and still have Matt Stafford at quarterback, so NFL reporter Ian Rapoport said he "wouldn't be that surprised" if they made a play-off run.
"They have one of the best defences and were kind of up and coming last year," he said. "I don't know that they're up and coming this year. Like, they're here."
As for Denver, quarterback Bo Nix is heading into his second season after leading the Broncos into the play-offs for the first time since they won the Super Bowl in 2016.
"The Broncos look like they're coming," Rapoport added. "Bo Nix seems to be better than maybe anyone outside of his family and [head coach] Sean Payton believed he was. They look like they're entering their window."
Broncos RB RJ Harvey Gets Honest After Learning Valuable Lesson
The Denver Broncos made RJ Harvey the No. 60 overall selection and the fifth running back taken in the 2025 draft. Harvey turned heads upon arrival, but he also saw the Broncos add a veteran to an already-crowded group, all while learning a valuable lesson.
Harvey, who converted from quarterback to RB in college, brings a dual-threat presence to the Broncos’ backfield that head coach Sean Payton has raved about.
Putting it all together is easier said than done, though.
Broncos RB RJ Harvey Gets Honest About ‘Main Focus’
GettyRJ Harvey #37 of the Denver Broncos carries the ball against the San Francisco 49ers.
According to Harvey, who turned 24 in February and has switched his jersey from No. 37 to No. 12, “you gotta know what to do” in a “production-based business” like the NFL is.
“You gotta put in the work, and study, and really know your stuff,” Harvey told Denver Sports’ Andrew Mason on September 5. “There’s a lot of time in college. You got classes and schoolwork to do while you’re in college. But you got a lot of free time after practice and after meetings [in the NFL]. During my free time right now, my main focus is just studying, trying to get all the plays right, so when I go out there on Sundays, I’m ready to go, and while I’m out on the field, I don’t gotta think where I’m making mistakes.”
Harvey struggled with efficiency during the preseason, rushing for 47 yards and 1 touchdown on 13 carries, or 3.6 yards per attempt, starting all three of the Broncos’ contests. Those numbers, especially against non-gameplan-specific defenses, are disappointing.
However, those games did not count, and they provided Harvey with invaluable experience all the same as he prepares for his regular-season debut against the Tennessee Titans.
That experience should help Harvey and his new Broncos backfield mate.
RJ Harvey Faces Strong Challenge From J.K. Dobbins
GettyFormer Los Angeles Chargers RB J.K. Dobbins reacts against the Cleveland Browns.
J.K. Dobbins signed with the Broncos in June, late in free agency this past offseason. He enters the season ahead of Harvey on the Broncos’ depth chart, but they are expected to split duties.
“JK Dobbins, the veteran running back who didn’t have a single carry in the preseason, ran away from the defense during one play with a burst that made coaches raise their eyebrows,” The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider wrote on September 3.
“Dobbins’ debut Sunday will be part of a double dose of intrigue in Denver’s backfield. He is likely to share the workload with RJ Harvey, and both running backs are stepping into a run scheme that has been tweaked this offseason to emphasize more outside zone concepts. Payton, of course, will continue to mix in inside zone and gaps schemes.”
Notably, Dobbins called Harvey a “special player.” He will be difficult to keep off the field.
“There has been enough significant change in the run game, scheme and personnel alike to make it one of the biggest questions as the Broncos enter Sunday’s opener,” Kosmider wrote.
How Payton mixes in Broncos backups Tyler Badie and Jaleel McLaughlin adds another wrinkle to an intriguingly remade ground attack that will still be working behind one of the best offensive lines in the NFL.
Harvey must maximize whatever touches he does receive in the Broncos’ offense.
