Packers’ outside linebacker Micah Parsons made his Green Bay debut, and there were millions of people watching.

Parsons’ debut was the most-watched Week 1 game since the NFL returned to CBS in 1998.

Packers’ Parsons Debut Breaks Decades-Long Record

When the Dallas Cowboys traded former Penn State star Parsons to the Packers less than a week before the first game of the 2025 season, many were excited to see how Parsons would fit in Green Bay.

That became clearly evident on Sunday. The Lions-Packers game had 23.891 million viewers, which was the most watched game of the weekend, and since the NFL returned to CBS.

CBS, in general, averaged 20.378 million viewers on Sunday, which was a 15 percent increase from Week 1 of the 2024 season.

The Packers and Lions Week 1 matchup was going to draw a lot of attention to begin with, as both teams are viewed as Super Bowl contenders in 2025, and it’s a division rivalry.

However, when you threw Parsons’ Green Bay debut into the equation, it only hieghtened the expectations for Sunday’s game at Lambeau Field.

In his debut, with millions watching, Parsons played phenomenal. The Packers’ new addition only played on important downs, limiting his snaps. However, Parsons still affected the play every time he was on the field, and recorded his first sack of the season.

Parsons has given opposing offenses fits his entire career, from his time as Nittany Lion to his time in Dallas, and now he’s ready to continue causing havoc as a Packer.

The Packers and Parsons will be back in action on Thursday night against the Washington Commanders.