Micah Parsons hasn’t been with the Green Bay Packers long — just 10 days before the 2025 NFL season kicks off — but the All-Pro linebacker already seems to have embraced the team’s storied rivalry with the Detroit Lions.
Speaking to reporters Thursday about the prospect of making his Green Bay debut against Detroit, Parsons didn’t hold back.
“I’m looking forward to that game,” Parsons said. “I’ve never liked Detroit. Not when I was in Dallas, not now.”
Parsons explained that his dislike for the Lions actually grew during his time with the Dallas Cowboys, who had faced Detroit in each of the last three seasons.
“Every time we played them it felt like a heavyweight matchup,” Parsons recalled of Dan Campbell’s squad. “Last year, they really took advantage of us while I was sidelined — we had a lot of guys banged up.”
Detroit’s 47-9 demolition of Dallas in Week 6 of 2024 backs up Parsons’ frustration. The Lions racked up nearly 500 yards of offense, with Jared Goff putting on a clinic: 18 completions on 25 attempts for 315 yards and three touchdowns, finishing with a passer rating of 153.8.
That said, the Cowboys did come out on top in the two previous meetings, including a nail-biting 20-19 win in Week 17 of 2023 that was marred by officiating controversy. That victory ultimately positioned Dallas to edge Detroit for the NFC’s No. 2 playoff seed.
Now wearing green and gold, Parsons is eager to deliver payback in his first outing with the Packers. The 26-year-old knows Detroit will be equally motivated, especially after their postseason run ended in heartbreak with a divisional-round loss to the Washington Commanders.
“I know they’ll bring the fight,” Parsons said. “This one’s gonna feel like it goes the distance — 12, maybe 15 rounds.”
