Micah Parsons Has His Eyes on One Matchup in Super Bowl LX - And It's a Good One
Micah Parsons won’t be suiting up for Super Bowl LX, and neither will the Green Bay Packers - his pick to come out of the NFC. Instead, the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks will meet in Santa Clara in what might be the most statistically unlikely Super Bowl matchup in NFL history. Seriously - over three decades of data, and this one tops the list in terms of improbability.
Still, while the football world is buzzing over the underdog journeys of both teams, Parsons isn’t exactly clearing his schedule to watch the game. That is, unless one particular matchup lives up to the hype - and it just might.
The Cowboys’ All-Pro pass rusher took to social media to point out the one thing that’s got him fired up about the Big Game: the one-on-one battle between Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez and Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
“Gonzalez’s match up against Smith-Njigba might be the only reason I watch this game!” Parsons posted. “Popcorn ready!”
And honestly? He’s not wrong. This is a heavyweight clash between two of the league’s brightest young stars, both playing at the top of their game - and now they’ll be going head-to-head with a Lombardi Trophy on the line.
Let’s break it down.
Gonzalez vs. Smith-Njigba: A Matchup Worth the Spotlight
Christian Gonzalez has quickly cemented himself as one of the NFL’s premier shutdown corners. His 2025 season was nothing short of elite - a 58.3 passer rating allowed in coverage (including the playoffs), which ranked ninth-best among 164 qualified corners. That’s not just solid; that’s lockdown.
On the other side, Jaxon Smith-Njigba has emerged as a true WR1, leading the league with 1,793 receiving yards and posting a 124.1 passer rating when targeted - eighth among all wideouts with at least 25 targets. He’s been a nightmare for defensive backs all season, with crisp route-running, elite hands, and a knack for finding soft spots in coverage.
Now, these two are set to collide under the brightest lights the sport has to offer. It’s the kind of individual battle that can swing a championship - and it’s exactly the type of chess match that gets players like Parsons (and fans everywhere) glued to the screen.
A Super Bowl Rematch, but With a Twist
While Parsons may be focused on the Gonzalez-Smith-Njigba showdown, there’s more at play in Super Bowl LX. This game also marks a rematch of one of the most memorable Super Bowls of the modern era - Super Bowl XLIX - when Malcolm Butler’s goal-line interception sealed a Patriots win and broke Seattle’s heart.
That history adds a layer of intrigue, but these are two very different teams now. The quarterbacks, the coaches, the rosters - all new chapters. What hasn’t changed is the intensity, and the stakes.
What Could Have Been for Packers Fans
There’s another twist to this matchup that stings a bit for Packers fans. Both Gonzalez and Smith-Njigba were high on Green Bay’s radar in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Instead, the team opted for edge rusher Lukas Van Ness. While Van Ness has shown flashes, seeing Gonzalez and Smith-Njigba thrive on the sport’s biggest stage has to raise some “what if” questions in Wisconsin.
Still, this Super Bowl isn’t about missed opportunities - it’s about two teams that weren’t supposed to be here, led by young stars who are already playing like seasoned veterans. And at the heart of it all is a matchup that’s as pure as it gets: elite receiver vs. elite corner, strength vs. strength.
So while Micah Parsons might not be thrilled about the final two teams standing, he - like the rest of us - knows greatness when he sees it. And when Gonzalez lines up across from Smith-Njigba on Sunday, you better believe the popcorn will be ready.