The "big loss" in question is Colby Wooden, whom Parson's had developed a close bond with after his own trade from the Dallas Cowboys sent him to the Green Bay Packers in the late hours of last offseason. The "bigger gain" in question is the addition of Zaire Franklin from the Indianapolis Colts.
The Packers swung large again, only much earlier compared to the hit (and still to be determined, successful swing) they made for Parsons last year by offloading Wooden for Franklin, the eight-year veteran who spent his entire NFL career thus far with the Colts.
The Packers clearly see their defense as their highest priority during their current Jordan Love era, who has plenty of wide receiver depth and a solid No. 1 option at running back (an overall solid offense, in general), so this move for Franklin isn't necessarily surprising. It surprised Parsons, but in the long run, it will help him more than anything.
Micah Parsons says goodbye to Colby Wooden but should be excited for Zaire Franklin
Parsons' first season with the Packers was cut short after an ACL injury brought him down. Incredibly, he had 12.5 sacks leading up to his injury and was well on his way to surpassing his career-best 14 with the Cowboys in 2023.
It is still uncertain if Parsons will be ready to hit the field when the Packers open up their 2026-27 season in September, but whenever he does return, he'll have a new teammate having his back.
Franklin was just added to the Packers' big-swing-for-big-player list. While he's not a year-in-year-out All-Pro linebacker like Parsons is at his position, Franklin is not a small fish — he's a big one, who will instantly improve the Packers defense, which sat in the back half among the worst defenses in the league last season (22nd ranked).
With Franklin's arrival and expected impact, that rank should improve, not to mention Parson's return mixed in as well.
Franklin will provide not only veteran leadership and a strong presence behind Green Bay's defensive line, but also his strengths as a run-stopper and consistent availability (he has started nearly every game over the past four seasons), which will help keep the Packers' defense strong and intact.
As for how Parsons himself feels about Franklin joining him in Green Bay? The former Cowboys superstar is just about as outspoken on social media as he is on his podcast, and his reaction to the trade for Franklin was summed up in just two words on his X account: "Oh shi#."
Oh shi# https://t.co/zZqvdPhUPi
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) March 7, 2026
With Franklin in the building, Parsons expected to return next season, and whatever other moves the Packers make on defense this summer, Green Bay should be a much more consistent team and a more viable playoff contender.
As for the Colts, who just gained Wooden, they still have questions and holes at linebacker that they must address, and Colts fans are still waiting for those answers.