Cam Newton Undermines Packers’ Chances After Acquiring Micah Parsons: “Not Even a True Threat to the Eagles”

The Green Bay Packers are looking for their first division title in three seasons, while Jordan Love hunts for his maiden one.

Cam Newton Undermines Packers’ Chances After Acquiring Micah Parsons: “Not Even a True Threat to the Eagles”

Cam Newton, Micah Parsons (Images via Newsweek/Yahoo Sports)

The Green Bay Packers of the NFC North added a star player to their defensive unit with barely two weeks before the official start of the season. The Packers signed former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons for a historic sum for a non-quarterback, ending days of speculation and rumors about a potential trade to Wisconsin.

The Packers, along with the Minnesota Vikings, the Detroit Lions, and the Chicago Bears, make one of the most dangerous divisions in the league. The addition of such a new powerhouse might be refreshing and aid in supporting the club to finish higher in the division.

However, former quarterback-turned-analyst Cam Newton claimed that the Packers, despite acquiring Micah Parsons, are far away from being on par with other teams in their own division, let along the conference.

In a very blunt take on ESPN’s First Take, Newton declared that the Detroit Lions are the best team in the NFC North.

Don’t even think that they’re the best team in their division. You’re not willing to take the Detroit Lions over the Green Bay Packers… I’m not looking at Green Bay as a threat to Philly when Green Bay is not a true threat or they have to go through Detroit to be a threat.

Cam Newton said

Newton acknowledged that the Packers are among the youngest teams in the NFL, being led by a young quarterback. He added that Parsons also adds to that, being a young star with room for growth. However, he cold splashed the Green Bay fans and advised them to keep their Super Bowl expectations low for the coming season.

While he isn’t writing them off completely, he just advised caution. In fact, Newton admitted that they could be contenders in 2-3 years. Furthermore, he noted that the trade can be considered as a foundation for them to build on for glory in the future.

The betting market has shifted in favor of the Green Bay Packers

The NFC North is shaping up to be as intense as last season. In 2024, the division title was decided in Week 18 in a divisional header between the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings, both having 15 wins in 14 wins.

Packers QB Jordan Love
Packers QB Jordan Love (Image via Lombardi Ave)

The Lions went to win the game and finish as the number one seed in the NFC, while the Vikings ended with a decent 14-win season. The Packers also made it to the playoffs, and the Chicago Bears looked equally fierce for the first half of the season. The Bears have gained some points when they brought offensively charged Ben Johnson to lead them in the coming season.

Nevertheless, the odds have now shifted in the Packers’ favor. They have become the favorites to win the NFC North overnight. They last won the division in 2021, led by four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers.

The Packers have jumped to the top of the division odds board with a consensus line of +167. Their projected win total has also risen from 9.5 to 10.5. Living up to the growing hype would mean securing their first division crown since 2021. Despite this, there are still a few sportsbooks where the Lions remain the favorites.

The fact that the Packers roster had some big players before the Parsons trade is one of the few reasons they have shot up following his addition. The Packers have Jordan Love, who’s in the hot seat this year, Josh Jacobs as a running back, with Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs filling in the receiver corps.

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