The Green Bay Packers are making a strong case for being Super Bowl contenders.

A stunning trade for defensive end Micah Parsons just days before their NFL season opener was a huge statement of intent.
Dan Graziano outlines Jerry Jones and Micah Parsons’ fractured relationship and how Cowboys duo are heading for historic DIVORCE
During Green Bay’s convincing 27-18 win against the Washington Commanders donning the all-white look on Thursday night, the defense, with Parsons, looked just as stalwart as it did in their dominant Week 1 victory over their division rivals, Detroit Lions.Parsons, who is seen by his teammate Rashan Gary as a huge ‘mismatch’ for anybody, made his presence known from the jump, recording a half-sack, and two assisted tackles in the contest.

Furthermore, he had three quarterback hits and eight pressures in 37 pass-rushing snaps.

Packers fans mock Jerry Jones

After the game, the Cheeseheads contingent found a way to thank Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones – who failed to sign Parsons to an extension before ultimately trading him – by chanting “Thank you, Jerry.”
This was all done in front of the three-time All-Pro as he stopped by the Thursday Night Football broadcast desk post-game, and the fans’ chants got louder and louder.“That’s what they’re looking for,” Parsons said, via SI.com. “The game’s on the line, it’s fourth down, that’s what they brought me here to try to go win the game, get pressure on the quarterback.

“I got to win those matchups. That’s why they brought me here, that’s why they gave me what they gave me.

“I’ve just got to keep showing what I’m capable of because I understand the stakes are high, I understand the pressure and I just live for it.”

The Packers, who were also linked with a move for standout Cincinnati Bengals pass-rusger Trey Hendrickson, clearly felt they were missing one pieve of the puzzle and didn’t hesitate to hand Parsons the contract he was looking for – a four-year, $188 million deal made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.

After the dust had settled with the Green and Gold now 2-0 to start the season for the first time since 2020, Parsons admitted that he is getting frustrated being on a limited snap count coming of fa back injury on a new team.

Parsons has got off to a phenomenal start to his Packers careerCredit: Getty
“I just hope I’m full go,” Parsons said. “Honestly, it’s p***ing me off.

“I tell them, ‘[Limited snaps] does worse than good, I get tight and stuff.’ Hopefully, they just let me off. They can’t hold a dog back forever, man.”

The Packers held the Commanders to just 11 total yards in the first quarter, and allowed them to produce just 82 yards and four first downs through the first two quarters of play.

Jayden Daniels was only able to lead his offense into the end zone twice, both in the fourth quarter once the damage had already been done.

The second-year quarterback finished the game having completed just 24-of-42 of his passes for 200 passing yards and two touchdowns as Green Bay’s defense also racked up four sacks and 12 quarterback hits.

But is this the ceiling for the Packers’ defense? Safety Xavier McKinney doesn’t seem to think so, especially now with the addition of Parsons and the experience, elite-level talent and sheer impact he brings.

Parsons was after Jayden Daniels all night, recording four QB hitsCredit: Getty
“It’s only gonna get better,” he said. “I don’t even know how many snaps he got today but it wasn’t even every snap like he’s gonna get to eventually, so as he keeps building, we’re just gonna get better the more and more he’s on the field.”

Parsons also spoke about important it is for the defense to step up, even when the offense has been firing on all cylinders with Jordan Love under center.

“It’s all about getting stops and getting the ball back to the offense,” Parsons said. “As y’all seen against Baltimore and Buffalo, you can have your quarterback damn near have a perfect game but still lose because guess what, the defense gave up, what, 40 points? So, defense wins championships.
Next up for the Packers is a trip to Huntington Bank Field as they prepare to take on the Cleveland Browns with the goal of being 3-0 for the first time in five years.