The Green Bay Packers made one of the biggest moves of the offseason when they traded for Micah Parsons. After acquiring him from Dallas, they handed him a four-year, $188 million extension that featured $136 million in guaranteed money.
At the time, it was the highest salary for any non-QB, but that only lasted two months as the Detroit Lions just gave Aidan Hutchinson a mega-extension. According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Hutchinson and the Lions agreed on a four-year, $180 million extension, with $141 million in guarantees. That's now the most guaranteed money ever for a non-quarterback, passing Parsons.
And while Parsons is likely happy to see the edge market continue to increase, this has to give him some extra fuel.
The Latest EDGE Extension Gave Micah Parsons Some Added Motivation
Parsons was left waiting for his new deal for years and had to get traded to secure it. For a player as competitive as Parsons, Hutchinson's new deal will only make him work even harder. Thus far into the 2025 season, the Penn State product is sixth in the NFL in sacks (6.5) to go along with 17 total tackles. He also has 42 total pressures and 27 QB hurries.
According to Pro Football Focus, Parsons has a 92.5 overall grade (1st among 119 graded edge defenders) and a 93 pass-rush grade (1st among 119 graded edge defenders). He continues to be a force off the edge and is arguably playing like the best one in the league.
Securing new contracts in the NFL is all about leverage, timing, and continuing to raise the bar. That's exactly what Hutchinson did here. This season, the Michigan Wolverines product has compiled 16 total tackles, six sacks, and four forced fumbles. On PFF, Hutchinson is second among defensive linemen in overall grades (92.2) and pass-rush grade (92.6).
Hutchinson was producing at a high level for sure, and the Lions knew they had to top Parsons' deal to get over the final line. That's great news for the edge market as a whole, but it certainly has caught the attention of Parsons. When these teams went head-to-head in Week 1, Parsons finished with one sack while Hutchinson had none.
The next time these teams square off comes in Week 13 on Thanksgiving, and it'll be really entertaining to see how the highest-paid edge rushers produce in this divisional tilt.