Dec 18, 2025
3 min read
Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley made a bold prediction for Mike Parsons to return to the field in 2026.
Packers defensive coordinator makes boldest prediction yet for Micah Parsons' return in 2026
There is no one more optimistic about Micah Parsons returning in 2026 than Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.
Parsons tore his ACL in Denver on Sunday and will miss the remainder of the 2025 season and possibly the start of the 2026 season while he recovers from reconstructive surgery.The Packers placed Parsons on injured reserve on Wednesday.
Hafley later made the boldest prediction about Parsons' post-injury trajectory.
"I know that, knowing who he is, waiting to see how hard he works to come back, how quickly he probably comes back, and somehow if I was a betting man, I'd bet he comes back even better and probably breaks the record next year," Hapley said.
"That's my hope for him."
Parsons produced 12.5 sacks, 26 quarterback pressures and an NFL-high 83 pressures in the first 15 weeks of the 2025 season, the first in Green Bay.Parsons has never had more than 14.0 sacks in a season, but there's no reason to think he can't chase down the sack record given his ability to consistently disrupt the quarterback every week.
Some questions about Hafley's bold prediction:
-- What is the single-season sack record? Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt currently hold the record with 22.5 sacks, but Myles Garrett has 21.5 sacks with three games left in 2025, and that record could be raised to 2026.
- Will Jeff Hanfley Pay Parcel Parcel for Parsons in 2026?Hfley's Parley head headed to the next section.
- Will Parsons miss all games starting in 2026?A nine-month recovery schedule will have him back in October, but Parsons himself has indicated September as his target.
"Let's give Micah a hard time and see what happens," Hafley said.
They will face the Chicago Bears on Saturday night in the first game without Parsons.
