Cowboys: Latest Micah Parsons news should send the NFL into panic mode
Dallas Cowboys superstar Micah Parsons is making it official: He's changing jobs. After entering the NFL as a linebacker, he's working on a full-time transition to defensive end ahead of the 2023 regular season. According to Clarence Hill from the Forth Worth Star-Telegram, Parsons revealed he's preparing away from the team as he focuses on […]
Dallas Cowboys superstar Micah Parsons is making it official: He's changing jobs. After entering the NFL as a linebacker, he's working on a full-time transition to defensive end ahead of the 2023 regular season.
According to Clarence Hill from the Forth Worth Star-Telegram, Parsons revealed he's preparing away from the team as he focuses on adding weight and bulk to play defensive end and defensive end only. He'll rejoin the Cowboys in OTAs on May 22nd.
The move has naturally generated some controversy among fans, media members, and content creators. Some argue that his getting bigger will take away what makes him the elite defender that he is: speed and explosiveness. Some also worry about what that means for his incredible versatility to play off-ball linebacker as well as for his contributions in coverage.
To all that I say: Stop. This is a big – and I'll admit, maybe risky – decision by the Cowboys and Parsons. But the reality is it's the right call. As much as we love to praise No. 11 for his do-it-all skills, he has been a defensive end in practice. Last year, here's what his snaps breakdown looked like per PFF:
- 738 defensive line
- 171 box
As for assignments, Parsons logged 488 pass-rushing snaps versus just 64 coverage snaps. If he sacrifices some of that versatility as a drop defender (which he can still do even with extra weight), it'll be a good trade-off as he'll be improving in his most important area.
And I'll add this: Dan Quinn has done a fantastic job designing pressures that isolate Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence against guards or even the center at times. If added weight translates into a higher ability rushing inside, I'd much rather have that type of versatility than him being in coverage every once in a while.
Parsons has had a historic start to his career mainly because of his work as a pass rusher. One of the few negatives to his game might be his size and play strength as a defensive end. Listed at 245 per the team's official roster, Parsons would be one of the lightest defensive ends in the league. On a similar note, the Cowboys superstar also said "adding weight the right way" will help him suffer fewer injuries, via ESPN's Todd Archer.
This transition will help him reach a whole other level and that alone should send the other 31 NFL teams into panic mode.
