The Green Bay Packers made a splash – nay, more of a tidal wave when they traded two first round picks and defensive tackle, Kenny Clark, for defensive end, Micah Parsons before handing him a four year, $188 million deal with $136 million guaranteed.
Parsons is widely considered to be a top-five edge rusher in the NFL, alongside the likes of Maxx Crosby, Myles Garrett and TJ Watt – all of whom also received big contract extensions this offseason.
But now after being moved to a top-10 defense even before Parsons’ arrival, one that also sports the likes of promising linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, All-Pro safety, Xavier McKinney, and Pro Bowl pass rusher, Rashan Gary, both Parsons and the Packers’ defense could do some serious damage in 2025.
And the bookmakers seem to be sold on this idea as well, as DraftKings sportsbook has the former Penn State star as the favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year.
Micah Parsons The Favorite To Win DPOY In 2025
It is not particularly surprising that Parsons is currently given the best odds at winning the most prestigious defensive award for the regular season.
The former Dallas Cowboy has never won the award, despite being selected to three All-Pro teams and four Pro Bowls in his four seasons in the league to date.
The majority of the next most likely contenders, outside of Crosby and Lions defensive end and ex second overall pick, Aidan Hutchinson, have previously won the award – something that tends to work against potential awardees come the end of the season – particularly for someone like Parsons who has been right in the mix for the accolade on numerous prior occasions.
What Is The Likelihood Of The New Packer Taking Home The Prize This Season?
Parsons is currently priced at +600, which works out to an implied probability of around 14%, followed by Hutchinson at 12% and Garrett at 10.5%
Ultimately, one can never predict with any sort of real accuracy who will take home these kind of prizes – hence why there is no one player even approaching the status of a bona fide “favorite”.
Last year’s winner, cornerback Pat Surtain II, was +10000 to win Defensive Player of the Year at the start of the season, per Sports Betting Dime – partially due to the fact that cornerbacks seldom receive the award, it normally being reserved for pass rushers on the front end of the defense.
The unpredictability of the award is such that unlike one of its counterparts, Most Valuable Player, that is aggressively tied to said recipient’s team success, alongside individual achievement in that season, DPOY does not have the same sort of stipulation.
A team that is dismal will be unlikely to boast an award winner, but any team over the .500 barrier has a totally feasible shot of providing the prize’s next winning candidate.
Irregardless of the final outcome, the Packers will be thrilled with the signing and trade for Micah Parsons, and will be counting down the days until his debut at Lambeau Field on September 7.
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