Dallas Cowboys superstar Micah Parsons has come quite a long way from his rookie year. Off the field he loves to have fun and enjoy the life his incredible talent has given him. But, as he enters his third year in the NFL, he's moving away from the "rookie Micah" persona and focusing on making a big impact on the game. While he's still the same fun and goofy character he was his rookie year, Parsons is looking to turn things up this year.
Parsons has already achieved big things in his career, with 26.5 sacks in his first two seasons, which is the sixth most sacks since 1982. He's been the runner-up for NFL Defensive Player of the Year twice and is as important to the Cowboys' defense as quarterback Dak Prescott is to the offense.
But Parsons is now looking beyond just racking up sacks. He wants to be a powerhouse, like Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who has a huge impact on the game even when he's not getting sacks. Parsons wants to be dominant and greater than just one of the guys.
When speaking about his record sacks statistic, Parsons made it clear that he's looking to do so much more than just chase records and accomplish things from a numbers perspective. He told reporters that he's looking for ways he can make a significant impact on the defensive end, outside of just the sack game.
“If you’re always chasing, then you’re never achieving. You feel me? So I’m not chasing for something. I’m trying to achieve and being greater than someone that’s chasing.”
Parsons spent most of the offseason working out at The Kollective in Austin, Texas, and gaining some weight to deal with playing closer to the line of scrimmage. He aims to play this year at 250-252 pounds, which he believes will give him the power he needs to make a difference.
“You ever pick up a dumbbell, a 35 [pounder], and you’re like, ‘Oh, this is easy,’” Parsons asked. “You go like five more pounds and you’re like. ‘Oh, f---, my arm.’ It’s just like that. It might not be a substantial difference, but it’s just a difference in how you feel and, like, the power you want.”
Parsons' importance to the Cowboys cannot be overstated, and coach Mike McCarthy sees his next jump making those around him better. Parsons himself half-jokingly said he would play eight positions in 2023, all across the front seven and even in some coverage. It's going to be a year to remember for sure.
Parsons is a big name in the NFL, and with his focus on making a big impact on the game, he's sure to continue making headlines. Keep an eye on this powerhouse as he takes the league by storm.
