Micah Parsons earns AP Defensive Player of the Year finalist nod

The AP announced the finalists for the NFL’s end-of-year awards on Wednesday, giving the nod to five MVP candidates, three defensive player of the year candidates and four offensive player of the year candidates. One year after winning the AP’s rookie DPOY award, Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons is one of the three finalists for the DPOY this season.

Parsons made the list alongside the favorite for the award, 49ers DE Nick Bosa, and Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones. He finished the 2022 regular season with 65 tackles, 14 TFL, 27 QB hits, 13.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and three passes defensed.

Bosa had a league-leading 18.5 sacks this season, along with 48 quarterback hits, 19 TFL, two forced fumbles, and a PBU.

Jones was dominant for the Chiefs this season from the interior defensive line, racking up 15.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, 29 quarterback hits, four passes defensed, and a pair of forced fumbles.

2022 NFL Award Finalists

AP Most Valuable Player

• Josh Allen, Bills QB
• Joe Burrow, Bengals QB
• Jalen Hurts, Eagles QB
• Justin Jefferson, Vikings WR
• Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs QB

Defensive Player of the Year

• Nick Bosa, 49ers DE
• Chris Jones, Chiefs DT
• Micah Parsons, Cowboys LB

Offensive Player of the Year

• Tyreek Hill, Dolphins WR
• Jalen Hurts, Eagles QB
• Justin Jefferson, Vikings WR
• Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs QB

The NFL will announce the winners at the 12th annual NFL Honors ceremony on Feb. 9, 2023, airing live on NBC, Peacock and NFL Network.

Parsons shares passionate response to Cowboys playoff loss

Micah Parsons‘ stellar season came to an end on a sour note on Sunday night with the 19-12 loss versus San Francisco. After taking the night to process the loss and the end of the Dallas Cowboys season, the second-year edge rusher took to Twitter to share a passionate mantra for the offseason.

“Live in a place where people praise your failures and criticize your success!” Parsons tweeted. “Find love within yourself!

Despite holding one of the league’s most explosive offenses to 19 points, missed opportunities and a couple of key mistakes were enough to do the Cowboys in. Parsons finished the night with four tackles, including a half tackle for loss. It brought his postseason total up to seven tackles, one sack and 1.5 tackles for loss.

Like his teammates, the former Penn State star was clearly dejected after the final whistle.

“I hurt for the guys, I hurt for the fans,” Parsons said postgame. “I hurt for myself. It just wasn’t enough.”

Although this seemed like the year the Cowboys would break their NFC championship game drought, there’s no telling what the future holds. Parsons is still very early into his NFL career and already he’s an influential voice for the defense. With his leadership, the Cowboys are in good hands.