The Pittsburgh Steelers were already dialed in on making a deep playoff run this season.
General Manager Omar Khan spent the offseason crafting a competitive, gritty, and aggressive roster — and fans have been buzzing with excitement since OTAs. But if the Steelers want to remain contenders, especially with a 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers under center, they’ll need to shift their focus toward a specific Week 8 challenge that just got a lot more intense: Micah Parsons.
In a stunning and unexpected move, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones sent shockwaves through the NFL world by trading All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers. You read that right — Parsons is now a Packer, and he’ll be lining up against the Steelers in just a few short weeks.
Jones didn’t let Parsons go without a hefty return.
The Cowboys received two first-round picks (2026 and 2027) and veteran defensive tackle Kenny Clark, giving Dallas future building blocks. They also handed Green Bay one of the most disruptive defensive players in football.
“Those draft picks could get us a top Pro Bowl player,” Jones said proudly during a Thursday night press conference, clearly pleased with the blockbuster deal.
As for Pittsburgh — this changes everything. The Steelers have to start game-planning now.
The Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive line must be prepared to take on Micah Parsons in Week 8
Parsons is the kind of player who ruins drives and frustrates quarterbacks. With 52.5 career sacks entering his fifth season, he’s more than just a pass rusher — he’s a game-wrecker. And with Green Bay already fielding a young, aggressive defense, adding Parsons to the mix creates a serious matchup problem.
Thankfully, Pittsburgh has already committed to protecting their future Hall of Fame quarterback like their season depends on it — because it does.
Rodgers didn’t come back just to be hit 50 times again. In 2024, the Steelers allowed 49 sacks, ranking ninth-worst in the league. That cannot happen again, especially not with a quarterback whose best years are behind him — but whose mind and arm can still win games if he’s given time in the pocket.
Truthfully, I think the Steelers' offensive line has been preparing for this type of challenge long before Parsons entered the picture. They’ve had something to prove since last season, and by Week 8, I believe they’ll have found their rhythm. Players like Broderick Jones and Isaac Seumalo know what’s at stake, and the entire unit seems determined to change the narrative.
That said, you don’t wait until Week 7 to prep for a player like Parsons. You plan now. You rep now. You scheme now.
If Pittsburgh wants to keep its Super Bowl hopes alive, it can’t afford a slip-up — especially against a Green Bay team that's suddenly a defensive powerhouse.
The Steelers don’t fear the spotlight — they’ve lived in it for decades. But with Parsons on the Packers, Week 8 just became a must-watch game. Let’s hope they’re ready.