As far as the player the Packers are getting, Parsons says he plays with a “twisted mind” and “All I know is go” mentality. A long-time admirer of Sean Taylor, Parsons strives to be the most competitive player on the field whenever the pads are on.
That’s what made this offseason particularly difficult for the perennial Pro Bowler, as a back injury sidelined Parsons during training camp while little progress was made in negotiations with the Cowboys on a possible extension.
Gutekunst said the Packers don’t anticipate the back being an issue with Parsons, who could “help us in some form or fashion” in the Week 1 opener against Detroit.
Green Bay still plans to be smart with its new pass rusher, but Parsons says he feels great physically and already has started forming a plan for his on-field return with team doctors.
“We already talked about how we can ramp things up and get me into a flow where they feel comfortable and I feel comfortable,” Parsons said. “My plan is to be here. They didn’t give up what they gave up for me to sit on the sidelines and make this big of a risk and change for me to do that, so I’m going to give them my all.”
Parsons says his arrival in Green Bay feels like life coming full circle. In fact, the first football team he ever played for was the Harrisburg (Pa.) Packers.
The game has allowed him to take care of his family, too. With an extension in place, Parsons achieved a lifelong goal of telling his mother, Sherese, that she no longer needs to work again.
He shared the video on social media on Friday morning before flying to Green Bay. Parsons has tried for years to get his mom to take time for herself and travel more, but she’s just too driven.
“She’s probably the hardest working person I’ve ever met in my life,” Parsons said. “I’ve seen her work since I was a boy. That’s 26 years and beyond that because my brother is 30; working three jobs, two jobs, now she can just chill out for a while.”
One noticeable change for Parsons in Green Bay will be his jersey number. While the No. 11 he previously wore at Penn State and in Dallas is taken, Parsons will be the first Packers player to wear No. 1 since founder Curly Lambeau in 1926.
Parsons understands the expectations that come with wearing that number and signing the extension that he did Friday. He wants to make Packers fans proud and prove the front office correct for bringing him to Green Bay.
One way to do it would be a Lambeau Leap. He’s scored one NFL touchdown during his career off a fumble recovery against the Packers’ biggest rival, the Chicago Bears in 2022, and would love nothing more than to do it again.
“Just seeing the fanbase and how they’re all encouraging and excited – they couldn’t wait to have me here,” Parsons said. “I carry that on my shoulders, too. This isn’t just for me. Understanding the history about (having) no owner and this is all-fan – everything is poured back into this, that means so much. I’m gonna carry that.”