Dan Orlovsky: Micah Parsons not 'snubbed' with new Madden NFL 24 rating

As EA Sports’ Madden NFL 24 ratings continue coming out this week, ESPN revealed on Tuesday that Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons is rated lower than his top rivals Myles Garrett and Nick Bosa.

Parsons did not receive a 98 overall rating like Garrett or Bosa, but analyst Dan Orlovsky argued on First Take that the move by the game is not a “snub” as some might call it.

Instead, Orlovsky believes the Cowboys defender’s versatility makes it harder for him to achieve the perfect rating for a typical defensive end.

“Micah Parsons is more than just a singular position,” Orlovsky said. “He’s ‘Where’s Waldo,’ they’re moving him around so often on the defense. He’s as good of a player and as good of a pass rusher but Micah lined up at linebacker for 200 snaps last season, that’s significantly more than either Myles Garrett or TJ Watt or Nick Bosa.

“The fact that Dallas uses him in so many positions, in Madden ratings world, it probably negatively impacts him. When it comes to real world and how much money he’s going to make and be in the conversation for defensive MVP stuff, it is only a benefit for him and the defense in Dallas.”

Parsons earned AP Defensive Rookie of the Year after he racked up 13 sacks and 20 tackles in 2021. Last year, his remarkable level of dominance continued, and he tallied up 13.5 sacks.

Parsons planning to play more position for Cowboys

Parsons’ ability to impact his opposing offenses from multiple angles is a point of pride for the former Penn State star. He plans to play even more positions for Dallas this season.

“We’re doing a lot of special things,” Parsons said of this year’s defense, via Michael Gehlken. “I don’t want to give a lot away right now, but it’s going to be a really cool year. I’m probably going to play like eight positions this year.”

Although his overall impact should improve, Parsons is already preparing fans to see fewer sacks from him in 2023. He earned AP Defensive Rookie of the Year after he racked up 13 sacks and 20 tackles in 2021. Last year, his remarkable level of dominance continued, and he tallied up 13.5 sacks.

“I’m kinda off the sack wave. I’m onto the impact wave,” Parsons said this offseason. “You see Aaron Donald. He can have 12 sacks, but the impact he makes is so dominant. You can tell.

“I really just want to be dominant. And then you see guys who have 16-17 sacks, but they’re not considered a guy. I want to be a guy, not one of the guys. You feel me? I’m not chasing for something. I’m trying to achieve and be greater than someone who is chasing.”