GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – With the conference championships on the horizon, it is that time of the year in the NFL to find out who was the best of the best as the finalists have been announced for the AP NFL Awards.
Among the eight categories, Green Bay is only represented by one player, NFL All-Pro defensive end Micah Parsons.
Report: Dolphins hiring Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley as head coach
Parsons, in his first season in Green Bay after being acquired from the Cowboys on August 28, tallied 41 tackles, 12.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles in 14 games played. Parsons’ season was cut short due to a torn ACL in Week 15 against the Broncos.
Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons celebrates after a quarterback sack during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
The three-time first-team All-Pro (2021, 2022, 2025), looks to earn his second AP NFL Award in his career. Parsons is up for the AP Defensive Player of the Year for the 2025 season. His last win was in 2021 for the Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Parsons, however, faces steep competition within the category, primarily from Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, who broke the NFL single-season sack record with 23 sacks. Garrett broke Michael Strahan’s and T.J. Watt’s record of 22.5 sacks in 2001 and 2021, respectively.
BREAKING: Matt LaFleur reportedly agrees to multi-year extension with Packers
Parsons and Garret are nominated alongside Houston Texans DE Will Anderson Jr., Denver Broncos LB Nik Bonitto, and Detroit Lions DE Aidan Hutchinson.
In just his fifth NFL season, this marks the fourth time that Parsons has been a finalist for NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
The full list of nominees within the eight categories can be found here.
Winners will be announced at NFL Honors on Thursday, February 5.
