Tucker Kraft and Micah Parsons

[Wi. Mike now in Florida]

Are we putting too much hope into these guys returning in 2026?

Everything I read it's about them returning and the question of what if.
What if they don't return to the play makers their where last year?

Wouldn't hopes like this crush another losing season

 

[mradtke66]

Are we putting too much hope into these guys returning in 2026?

Everything I read it's about them returning and the question of what if.
What if they don't return to the play makers their where last year?

Wouldn't hopes like this crush another losing season

No players is ever guaranteed to be as good as he was last year. It’s hope, but nothing out of the ordinary.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Are we putting too much hope into these guys returning in 2026?

Everything I read it's about them returning and the question of what if.
What if they don't return to the play makers their where last year?

Wouldn't hopes like this crush another losing season

You make a good point. A successful year, a deep playoff run and SB appearance, is gonna require a healthy Kraft starting the year, and a healthy Parsons joining in October. And whatever time it takes to make sure they return 100% is well worth it.

That said, and Bakhtiari notwithstanding, NFL players recover very well from ACL injuries. Not that long ago an ACL tear was guaranteed to result in a 12 to 18 month absence. Watson rejoined the team without missing a beat last year. I expect the same from Kraft and Parsons. NFL players continue to improve and if not exempt from injury, they certainly do the work to get back asap.

To me, the bigger question about how far can this team goes depends on 1) a vastly improved CB group, 2) ditto STs, and at least one or two guys having career years on the DL/Edge.

So a LOT of things need to go right if this year's team is gonna compete with the prohibitive favorite, the Rams. And the North will be very, very tough, with a surging Bears team and a pissed-off Dan Campbell.

 

[Heyjoe4]

No players is ever guaranteed to be as good as he was last year. It’s hope, but nothing out of the ordinary.

Well said. Kraft and Parsons are still young. I think Parsons is the oldest of the two at 26. They have a lot of football ahead and are young enough to make a complete return, ala Watson.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Are we putting too much hope into these guys returning in 2026?

Everything I read it's about them returning and the question of what if.
What if they don't return to the play makers their where last year?

Wouldn't hopes like this crush another losing season

IMO the current team, along with the return of Kraft and Parsons, have a solid shot at a deep playoff run. Better than the Rams? Not now, and there are a lotv of "ifs". As always, the top rated teams like the Rams, Bills, Seahawks, Pats, and Packers will go as far as their ongoing good health, and of course, talent.

Strange things always happen. Kraft got knocked out after a freakish kick from a teammate. Parsons tore his ACL on a non-contact play, same as what happened to Jordy Nelson years ago.

It's not outrageous to say that the healthiest team has a better chance of winning a SB than a more talented, but depleted team. Umm that's sounds like something from Mr. Obvious…...

 

[AKCheese]

Detroit could be really tough. They were decimated by injuries in the secondary last year.

 

[milani]

Detroit could be really tough. They were decimated by injuries in the secondary last year.

Detroit WILL be tough. They had a brutal schedule and lost some tough ones. Somehow they lost both games to us and lost both games to the Vikings. Yet, they took care of the Bears. And while we were trampled by the Ravens they went into Baltimore and took care of them. Their coach will not let them get complacent.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Detroit WILL be tough. They had a brutal schedule and lost some tough ones. Somehow they lost both games to us and lost both games to the Vikings. Yet, they took care of the Bears. And while we were trampled by the Ravens they went into Baltimore and took care of them. Their coach will not let them get complacent.

Yeah the worst thing for all the teams in the North who aren't the Lions - Dan Campbell enters camp really pissed off about last season. That's probably not a good thing, although he takes too many risks as a HC. But that's just who he is as well as the team. I really like the guy.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Detroit could be really tough. They were decimated by injuries in the secondary last year.

The Lions have had a lot of injuries the last two years. But when healthy, they are a very talented team. The North will be a bloodbath this year. That's the new North.

 

[milani]

Yeah the worst thing for all the teams in the North who aren't the Lions - Dan Campbell enters camp really pissed off about last season. That's probably not a good thing, although he takes too many risks as a HC. But that's just who he is as well as the team. I really like the guy.

Lost tough ones to the Vikings, Steelers, and Packers at home. Then lost on the road in GB and Minny. Tough to swallow.

 

[OldSchool101]

I see our iDL as vastly improved. We added 2 very good iDL in Hargrave and McClellan (RD3). Both are balanced players. Plus Wyatt is back which is a good sign. TJ Slaton was great against the Run but not good at Pass Rush imo. Very 1-dimensional. Wooden was moderate at both, but very pedestrian level in 2025 imo. Hargrave is a substantial veteran upgrade over that. Draft pick Chris M > Wooden imo.

At Edge we parted ways with Gary and JJ Enagbare. Both are good players. Gary had notable regression in 2025. However Lukas will fill in the role we lost with Rashan and those 2 are similar impact players. Looking at past games, Gary benefited from Micah flushing players. Go look at the Steelers and Rodgers Sack it’s a good example. That was all Micah imo

I liked JJ Enagbare he’s a good solid rotational level player. Although I don’t believe he’s better than Brenton Cox Jr. I’d put BC a hair better. Then we return Colin Oliver from RD5, 2025 + added Dani Sutton from RD4, 2026. I really think we’re similar but deeper once Parsons returns. We haven’t even spoke of our RD4, 2025 pick Barryn Sorrell I love that guys effort I didn’t notice him until I replayed several games. He’s a very high floor guy it’s more what’s his ceiling.

Im actually excited to see Sorrell and Cox Jr + getting Cooper and Oliver involved. If those guys prove to be average starters we’ll be very deep at Pass Rush. Similar to 2024, but add Micah Parsons as a bonus week 5 or 7 etc. We also have a better iLB as far as effecting Pass Rush. Z is built for his attacking style.

 

[OldSchool101]

It’s really past just Parsons. While I see and understand he’s a key player, I think many outside of GB have forgotten that GB went after Defense aggressively.

Our Defensive depth is completely revamped over 2025.

2026 Draft RD2,RD3,RD4,RD6 draft selections

2025 RD5 (Oliver)

TWO Defenders in Free Agency (Hargrave + St Juste)

That’s the equivalent of an entire draft plugged into the Defense. That’s not even taking into account other rising prospects. Such as 2025 UDFA Safety Jonathan Baldwin making an early statement at Camp after being activated to the Roster from Practice Squad last December. He’s been an early camp darling thus far.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Lost tough ones to the Vikings, Steelers, and Packers at home. Then lost on the road in GB and Minny. Tough to swallow.

Yeah I'm not sure what happened to Detroit last year. Sure they had a lot of injuries, but still had the talent to get in the playoffs as a WC.

I expect Campbell will have Detroit back and ready to compete for the North title. The North is gonna be one tough conference.

 

[Heyjoe4]

It’s really past just Parsons. While I see and understand he’s a key player, I think many outside of GB have forgotten that GB went after Defense aggressively.

Our Defensive depth is completely revamped over 2025.

2026 Draft RD2,RD3,RD4,RD6 draft selections

2025 RD5 (Oliver)

TWO Defenders in Free Agency (Hargrave + St Juste)

That’s the equivalent of an entire draft plugged into the Defense. That’s not even taking into account other rising prospects. Such as 2025 UDFA Safety Jonathan Baldwin making an early statement at Camp after being activated to the Roster from Practice Squad last December. He’s been an early camp darling thus far.

Gluten certainly helped the D the last 3 years or so by making wise moves in FA and the draft. The CB group is the weakest group on the team.

I'll believe the CB group is improved with the additions of Cisse and St. Juste when I see it. I have a reasonable expectation that this will happen.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I see our iDL as vastly improved. We added 2 very good iDL in Hargrave and McClellan (RD3). Both are balanced players. Plus Wyatt is back which is a good sign. TJ Slaton was great against the Run but not good at Pass Rush imo. Very 1-dimensional. Wooden was moderate at both, but very pedestrian level in 2025 imo. Hargrave is a substantial veteran upgrade over that. Draft pick Chris M > Wooden imo.

At Edge we parted ways with Gary and JJ Enagbare. Both are good players. Gary had notable regression in 2025. However Lukas will fill in the role we lost with Rashan and those 2 are similar impact players. Looking at past games, Gary benefited from Micah flushing players. Go look at the Steelers and Rodgers Sack it’s a good example. That was all Micah imo

I liked JJ Enagbare he’s a good solid rotational level player. Although I don’t believe he’s better than Brenton Cox Jr. I’d put BC a hair better. Then we return Colin Oliver from RD5, 2025 + added Dani Sutton from RD4, 2026. I really think we’re similar but deeper once Parsons returns. We haven’t even spoke of our RD4, 2025 pick Barryn Sorrell I love that guys effort I didn’t notice him until I replayed several games. He’s a very high floor guy it’s more what’s his ceiling.

Im actually excited to see Sorrell and Cox Jr + getting Cooper and Oliver involved. If those guys prove to be average starters we’ll be very deep at Pass Rush. Similar to 2024, but add Micah Parsons as a bonus week 5 or 7 etc. We also have a better iLB as far as effecting Pass Rush. Z is built for his attacking style.

The iDL of Wyatt, Hargrave, and McLellan is interesting. This was definitely an area for improvement, and Gluten did a good job in the offseason.

 

[OldSchool101]

The iDL of Wyatt, Hargrave, and McLellan is interesting. This was definitely an area for improvement, and Gluten did a good job in the offseason.

I think one of our biggest losses from a very good 2024 team was Kenny Clark. In addition we are not alone in underestimating the impact of LB Eric Wilson, who went back to Minnesota and had an exceptionally good year. Tederall “TJ” Slaton provided little in the area of Pass Rush, but he was actually a very good Run Defender. J’aire was great but he only played 8 games, so really 45% on the field.

In 2026 I see Hargrave filling Clark’s role immediately. McClellan should win an iDL spot. Chris likely won’t be TJ against the Run, but I think he’s close. However on passing downs he’ll make up for any variance from losing TJ.

 

[OldSchool101]

In 2024 we had a surprisingly good Defensive Roster. So I like to compare that season. Brenton Cox Jr immediately replaced Preston Smith mid-2024 and I thought he might’ve graded slightly better. So here we have Lukas really replacing Rashan Gary. Gary lost some of his dazzle recently and while he was a
well rounded player, I don’t see much difference in LVN and Gary levels.

DD Sutton is very equivalent to Enagbare, although albeit more inexperienced. I think he can jump in like JJ Enagbare did his Rookie season though.

You almost can’t find a more equal player than Zaire vs Quay at LB.

That essentially leaves us a pair of 2nd year adds with Sorrell and Oliver. Both are looking fantastic at Camp. ++ St Juste is a great depth piece at CB. I see a Roster that is every bit as good as our 2024 talent, but arguably better in depth. Once JA went down Week 8 2024? We had a pedestrian level Eric Stokes as our CB1. Not very inspiring.

Notice I have not even mentioned Micah Parsons yet.

If Gannon is able to get any semblance of Pass Rush without Micah, this D could be very good once again.