Arnold Ebiketie may not have become the breakout star the Falcons hoped for when they drafted him, but that doesn’t mean his story’s over - far from it. With free agency looming and Atlanta’s edge-rushing room getting crowded, Ebiketie is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing names to watch this offseason. And with the Falcons needing to prioritize contract extensions for young cornerstones like Drake London, Bijan Robinson, and Kyle Pitts, it’s looking more and more like Ebiketie will be wearing a different jersey in 2026.
Enter the Green Bay Packers - a team suddenly in need of pass-rushing help after a gut-punch injury to their defensive centerpiece. Micah Parsons, who had been everything Green Bay hoped for (and then some) in his first season with the team, tore his ACL in Week 15.
That injury doesn’t just hurt in the short term - it could keep him off the field well into next season. And for a Packers defense that had been wreaking havoc under Jeff Hafley, losing Parsons is a massive blow.
Parsons’ impact was immediate and transformative. His arrival turned Green Bay’s front seven into one of the most feared units in the league, and Hafley’s stock as a defensive mind has soared as a result. But with Parsons sidelined and the defense already battling other injuries, the Packers need reinforcements - and fast.
That’s where Ebiketie could come in.
No, he’s not Parsons. And no, he’s not going to suddenly become a 15-sack guy overnight.
But what Ebiketie does bring is steady pressure, versatility, and a motor that doesn’t quit. He’s shown flashes this season, enough to draw serious trade interest earlier in the year, and his 72.8 Pro Football Focus grade ranks him 34th among all edge defenders - not elite, but certainly productive.
The Falcons’ depth at edge rusher - with emerging talents like Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. - has pushed Ebiketie down the pecking order. That’s not necessarily a knock on him; it’s more a reflection of how loaded Atlanta’s front has become. But it does mean his future in Atlanta is murky at best.
In Green Bay, the opportunity would be different. With Parsons out, there’s a clear need for a capable edge rusher who can hold his own in a fast, aggressive scheme.
Ebiketie, at 26 years old, fits the bill as a low-risk, high-upside addition. He wouldn’t be expected to replace Parsons outright - that’s a tall order for anyone - but he could help keep the pass rush alive while the Packers figure out their long-term plan.
It’s also worth noting that while Ebiketie and Parsons share Penn State roots, they never actually played together in college. Ebiketie transferred in from Temple after Parsons had already moved on to the NFL. Still, there’s a certain symmetry in the idea of one Nittany Lion stepping in for another, especially in a defense that’s built around relentless pressure and athleticism off the edge.
Parsons, for his part, has already hinted at a September return - a bold target given the typical ACL recovery timeline. But even if he does beat the odds, the Packers can’t afford to bank on it.
They need someone who can contribute now and offer depth later. Ebiketie fits that mold.
So while his time in Atlanta may be nearing its end, don’t be surprised if Ebiketie finds new life - and a bigger role - in Green Bay. Sometimes, all a player needs is the right system and the right opportunity. And with the Packers suddenly in the market for help off the edge, this could be the perfect fit at the perfect time.