Micah Parsons shattered an NFL record in stunning fashion, earning rare praise from Barry Sanders who declared ‘He deserves to be an NFL great,’ leaving Packers fans speechless.QQ

A Thanksgiving night that was already electric at Lambeau Field became even more explosive when one of the greatest legends in NFL history spoke up. Barry Sanders – the immortal icon of the Detroit Lions – unexpectedly offered rare praise for Micah Parsons, who delivered a dominant performance in the Packers’ 31-24 win over the Lions. And just one sentence from Sanders spread across social media like wildfire: “He deserves to be an NFL great.”

This was far more than a casual compliment. Sanders, known for his humility and restraint when evaluating players, rarely gives strong personal declarations. But what Parsons showed that night – from relentless pressure on Jared Goff, sharp run-stopping plays, to completely disrupting the Lions’ offensive rhythm – truly warranted the legend’s nod of approval.

Parsons finished the game with 2 sacks, 7 pressures, and countless snaps that forced Detroit to adjust its entire approach. His presence on the field created an undeniable feeling: every snap with him could shift the momentum.

Head coach Matt LaFleur could not hide his pride after hearing Sanders’ remark. “When a legend like that praises your player, it says everything,” he said.

Even Packers Nation – who already adored Parsons from the moment he arrived in Green Bay after a blockbuster move – felt reinvigorated. Fan forums and Packers communities erupted with posts calling Parsons the “new soul of the defense,” an “unstoppable monster,” and even “the gift Green Bay waited years for.”

For his part, Parsons responded calmly but emotionally, saying that being mentioned by Barry Sanders “is something that makes me look at myself and push even harder.” He also emphasized that his performance “means nothing if it doesn’t help the team win.”

For the Packers, the victory over the Lions carried more than just NFC North implications. It marked a defining moment in the evolution of Micah Parsons – a player who not only forces opponents to prepare differently but now earns the respect of one of the greatest icons the NFL has ever seen.

And when Barry Sanders speaks, the league listens. Green Bay smiles – because they know they have a star stepping into the prime of his greatness.

Mike Tomlin Faces Ultimate Test As Steelers Struggle to Stay Relevant

The Pittsburgh Steelers have once again found themselves starting hot in a season and fading as the year progresses. The 2025 offseason was one of the most ambitious in recent franchise history, with Pittsburgh going all-in to acquire 41-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers in hopes of finally pushing the team back into true contender status. However, now sitting at 6-5, the Steelers have officially lost their lead in the AFC North, and what once looked like a promising campaign has quickly turned into a season that desperately needs saving.

With the year slipping away, conversations about longtime Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin have already begun to swirl. For years, many Steelers fans have believed there was no realistic scenario in which Tomlin would ever be fired. It’s been a longstanding debate within the national media that Tomlin is actually a great head coach, but many Steelers fans disagree and believe his message has grown stale. Most of those fans also don’t think Art Rooney II would ever fire Tomlin, no matter how frustrated the fanbase becomes.

However, NFL insider Albert Breer revealed on Wednesday that the Steelers are certainly open to having some brutal, uncomfortable discussions with Tomlin depending on how the 2025 season ends. It’s a rare acknowledgment from within league circles that even in a famously stable organization, patience may finally be wearing thin. 

“I think it is gonna take having some real hard discussions on where they’re at, on where Mike Tomlin’s at, on how everyone feels about the position that they’re in,” Breer said on the Sports Illustrated‘s YouTube channel after he was asked about Tomlin’s future.

Of course, everything could still change. Tomlin has pulled off late-season turnarounds before, and a deep playoff run would erase much of the growing tension and immediately reshape public conversation. 

However, until that happens, the reality remains: the Steelers have not won a playoff game since the 2016 season. For a franchise defined by excellence and postseason success, that drought looms larger than ever as Pittsburgh fights to salvage what was supposed to be its breakthrough year.

“There’s no question that if Mike Tomlin became available, he would not last very long in the coaching market,” Breer said. “Somebody would swoop in and snap him up. So this isn’t about his value as a coach. It’s about the situation that everybody’s in.”

Breer pointed out that Tomlin is still viewed around the league as an extremely exceptional head coach and leader capable of turning a franchise around. It seems similar to what Andy Reid had to go through with the Philadelphia Eagles, as sometimes a new face is needed. 

Steelers May Finally Be Ready To Move On From Mike Tomlin

In Reid’s case, it ended up working out for both the Eagles and for him personally when he moved to the Kansas City Chiefs. All parties won Super Bowls and experienced many meaningful victories. That is the path many suggest Tomlin should consider, not just for the Steelers, but for himself. 

Whatever has been tried so far has not worked in the minds of many fans. Still, in the NFL, it is never over, and Tomlin is not giving up. He is preparing to find a way to get his team to pull off an upset win in Week 13 at home against the Buffalo Bills. If Pittsburgh can sneak out of Acrisure Stadium with a win over Josh Allen, it would certainly change the outlook on the 2025 season. A loss, however, would continue this discussion and only amplify it.