Packers Officially Sign $110 Million Defensive Star to Replace Kenny Clark After Parsons Trade

Green Bay, WI – Just days after pulling off one of the most shocking trades in recent NFL memory, the Green Bay Packers have doubled down on their defensive rebuild. The team isn’t just relying on Micah Parsons to reshape their pass rush—they’ve now locked in another major piece for the trenches.

The blockbuster deal that sent Parsons from Dallas to Green Bay for two first-round picks and Kenny Clark left fans wondering who could possibly fill the void left in the middle of the defensive line. Clark had been the anchor of the Packers’ run defense for years, and his absence created an urgent need.

Enter Christian Wilkins.

The former Miami Dolphins first-rounder and Pro Bowl defensive tackle has agreed to terms with Green Bay on a restructured deal after his controversial release from the Las Vegas Raiders. Just one year removed from signing a $110 million contract with Las Vegas, Wilkins’ guarantees were voided after a dispute with the team’s medical staff following a Jones fracture.

Packers Officially Sign $110 Million Defensive Star Christian Wilkins to Replace Kenny Clark After Parsons Trade pic.twitter.com/XRmtBqU2bD

— Adam Schetfer (@fanhub_nfl) August 30, 2025

Despite the injury concerns, the Packers view Wilkins as the perfect answer. At 28 years old, he has tallied 22 career sacks and nearly 400 tackles, proving himself as one of the league’s most disruptive interior defenders. His ability to collapse pockets and eat up double teams gives Parsons the freedom to wreak havoc on the edge.

Green Bay’s medical staff is confident they can manage his injury, pointing to the success of wide receiver Jayden Reed, who is currently playing through the exact same fracture without surgery. That reassurance helped seal the deal for Wilkins, who wanted a fresh start with a contender.

“This is where I belong,” Wilkins reportedly told teammates after the signing. “They believe in me, and I’m ready to prove I can be the piece that gets this defense over the top.”

The move now gives the Packers one of the most fearsome defensive fronts in football—pairing Parsons and Rashan Gary on the edges with Wilkins controlling the middle. For general manager Brian Gutekunst, it’s a statement: Green Bay isn’t just thinking about the future, they’re going all-in on winning now.

With Parsons under contract as the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history and Wilkins signed to solidify the line, the Packers’ defense suddenly looks like a unit built for January football. If the chemistry clicks, this could be the move that shifts the balance of power in the NFC.