The Micah Parsons trade is not something NFL fans get the chance to see happen every year. Prior to the Parsons trade, the only comparable deal would have been the Raiders sending Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears, but at least the Raiders did the right thing back then and sent him out of the conference entirely.
The Green Bay Packers were able to get Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys to sign off on a trade that keeps Parsons in the NFC and strengthens a team that has directly affected the Cowboys' hopes of advancing in the playoffs. The Packers are 3-0 in their last three playoff matchups against the Cowboys, spanning the past 10 years.
And make no mistake about it, this is a league-altering trade. The Packers were already a potential contender in the NFC, but this move vaults them near the top of the conference. Maybe even all the way above the Eagles. Who are the top four teams in the NFC now after this massive move?
NFL Power Rankings: Packers creeping closer to Eagles after Micah Parsons deal
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This wasn't an exercise simply looking at the top team from each division, but it ended up turning out that way anyway. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have one of the most well-rounded rosters in the league, and if they can stay healthy all year, they have a real shot at upending everyone else in this conference.
The separation between NFC teams right now feels rather minimal, and frankly, what do the Bucs lack that would hinder them come January?
This team has playoff experience, they have outstanding skill players, they have multiple guys who can get after the quarterback, and they've got playmakers on the back end. They can win in the trenches on both sides of the ball. There may be teams with higher ceilings overall, but the Bucs might have the highest floor in the NFC, including the Eagles.
3. Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams undoubtedly have a chance to win another Super Bowl this year. After winning a championship in the first year with Matthew Stafford at the helm, the Rams have had to reconstruct a little bit.
They went from "F*** Them Picks" to "Collect Them Picks" and it's worked out. Even with a long drought in the early rounds of the NFL Draft, Rams GM Les Snead hasn't missed a beat and has managed to quickly restock his roster not with just veteran trade acquisitions, but with long-term fixtures via the NFL Draft.
The Rams added Davante Adams this offseason, replacing the oft-injured Cooper Kupp, and I like that move a lot. They also used their top pick in the draft (2nd round) on Oregon tight end Terrance Ferguson, another athletic option in the passing game.
The Rams are legit on both sides of the ball, but their ceiling is dependent on Matthew Stafford's health.
2. Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers showed us a glimpse two seasons ago of just how good this team can be when they are firing on all cylinders.
Jordan Love is ready to take that next step into becoming one of the NFL's truly elite all-around passers and playmakers at the quarterback position. The Packers have a strong offensive and defensive line, they have great weapons, and the addition of Micah Parsons sets this roster off.
He was the missing piece of that defense, and frankly it never felt like it could actually happen. The Packers pulled off an incredible deal to get Parsons to Green Bay, and people seem to think Parsons is overhyped because of the contract he received. That's not the case. This is a guy who has averaged 13 sacks per season since coming into the NFL. Nobody has more QB pressures than Parsons since he entered the league in 2021.
He's a game-wrecker, and an elite pass rush weapon in every way.
1. Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles deserve their due respect after winning the Super Bowl last season. Although obviously, they lost quite a bit from last year's roster, as well as the coaching staff that helped get them there.
We'll see how this team does with all of the transitioning pieces, but the Eagles are still going to be one of the best teams in the NFL with an extremely high floor. The main characters of this team remain in place, and the Eagles are enough of a well-oiled machine at this point that the side characters can really shine with the veterans around them.
When you are capable of dominating in the trenches like the Eagles are, you are capable of dominating every single week. If this team limits turnovers like they did last season (+11 in the takeaway vs. turnover department) they will be hosting the NFC Championship Game yet again.