What happened: Safety Xavier McKinney stated that the sky is the limit for both his team and the defense as the unit awaits the return of pass rusher Micah Parsons. Those remarks come days after McKinney intercepted a tipped Tyson Bagent pass in regular-season action.

Why it matters: Parsons posted 41 tackles and 12.5 sacks in 14 games during the 2025 season, while his former unit has ranked 32nd in EPA per drive over a 22-game sample since trading him. Adding an elite edge presence back to a secondary led by a 27-year-old playmaker creates a complete, game-wrecking defense at all three levels.