Micah Parsons makes bold declaration on playing exclusively as a pass rusher

The Dallas Cowboys selected Micah Parsons in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and the Penn State product could not have possibly gotten off to a better NFL start — and he’s acknowledged that.

The 6-foot-3, 235-pound linebacker is a big reason why the Cowboys’ defense has been so good at creating turnovers this year, and he has helped the Cowboys clinch the NFC East crown, as well as a playoff berth, the latter of which Dallas hasn’t had since 2018. In just his first season in the NFL, Parsons has amassed 84 total tackles (64 solo stops), 13 sacks (sixth-most in the NFL) and three forced fumbles. He was named not just to his first Pro Bowl this year, but he should very well end up winning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.

Perhaps more impressively, though, Parsons has done it all — the Cowboys frequently line him up at both linebacker and on the edge, and the results are consistently dominant. For that reason, Parsons has his eyes set on a much larger prize than the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

Parsons said Tuesday that if he were to only play edge rusher, he’d be an 18-20 sack player. Further, with his current production alone, he believes he should be in the conversation for NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

As of Tuesday, Vegas oddsmakers think that Parsons would need an incredible Week 18 performance, perhaps coupled with a less impressive game from Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end TJ Watt, to win such an award. Odds Shark says Parsons is currently the second-favorite candidate to win the award, priced at +200, while Watt, the favorite, is priced at -350. Behind those two, Los Angeles Rams defensive end Aaron Donald is priced at +2000, and Parsons’ teammate, sophomore cornerback Trevon Diggs, rounds out the top five at +3300.

Parsons addresses Week 18, motivation vs. Eagles

Heading into Week 18, though, the Cowboys — who have clinched just about all they need heading into the postseason — may lack motivation, or may opt to play its bench players over its starters. But Parsons couldn’t possibly be a more different story. He sees Week 18 for what it is: a division rivalry game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

“Nope,” Parsons said, when asked if his debut in Philadelphia impacts his motivation. “Just going up there to kick some butt.”

What matters to Parsons is not that he makes his debut in the away side of the rivalry. What matters to him is the rivalry itself — and he’s ready to “kick some butt.”