Green Bay Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons disclosed this week that he personally reached out to Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores during the team’s search for a new coordinator earlier this year.
In comments shared Thursday via a Bleacher Report clip, Parsons described contacting Flores while the Packers sought a replacement for Jeff Hafley. Hafley departed Green Bay in January to become head coach of the Miami Dolphins.
“I called him up and I’m like, ‘Hey B, you want to come up and coach me?’” Parsons said. “I’m trying to recruit him to Green Bay. He said, ‘Man, I love you and who you are, what you represent and how you play… But I gave these people my word I’m coming back to Minnesota.”
The Packers interviewed multiple candidates for the vacancy created by Hafley’s exit. Flores, whose future with the Vikings drew league-wide discussion, received a contract extension from Minnesota on Jan. 21. Reports of the Packers’ agreement with Jonathan Gannon surfaced four days later, and the team officially announced the hiring on Feb. 2.
Gannon arrived in Green Bay after three seasons as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, where he compiled a 15-36 record. He previously served as defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021 and 2022.
Parsons has spoken positively about working under Gannon. In May, he told The Action Network’s DJ Siddiqi, “I’m extremely excited of what JG is going to bring to the team.”
Gannon met with Parsons at the team facility during the interview process while Parsons continued rehabilitation from a torn ACL suffered in December 2025. Parsons has remained sidelined throughout the 2026 season so far.
Even without Parsons, the Packers’ defense has produced solid results under Gannon. Green Bay held the Chicago Bears to seven points in a 31-7 victory on Oct. 11 and limited the Dallas Cowboys to 13 points in a 23-13 win on Oct. 18. The unit then surrendered 20 points in a 20-17 road loss to the Detroit Lions on Oct. 25.
Through seven games, the Packers rank 11th in the NFL in points allowed at 20.7 per game and 13th in total yards allowed at 323.0 per game. The team has recorded 16 sacks and ranks among the league leaders in takeaways.
By comparison, the Vikings under Flores have been the NFL’s top scoring defense, allowing just 12.3 points per game through six contests. Minnesota is 6-0 and has surrendered only 74 points total this season.
Parsons has long expressed admiration for Flores’ aggressive style. After the Packers’ season-opening loss to Minnesota, he again noted the pressure Flores’ scheme placed on Green Bay’s offense.
There is no indication that Parsons or the organization is dissatisfied with Gannon’s performance or considering a change. The Packers enter Thursday’s game against the Carolina Panthers at 4-3, with Parsons still working toward a potential return to practice in the coming weeks.
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