Micah Parsons hopes to play at 255 pounds in 2023: 'It's about stability'

It didn’t take long for former first-round NFL Draft pick Micah Parsons to start playing like one for the Dallas Cowboys, quickly turning into one of the league’s star pass-rushers off the edge.

And Parsons is looking to take his game to the next level in 2023 after back-to-back 13-sack seasons.

The former Penn State standout told the Dallas Morning News that he’s looking to bulk up to about 255 pounds from his typical playing weight around 245, hoping the added increase can help him become a more productive player and stay healthy.

“It’s about stability ,” Micah Parsons said. “Strengthening joints, strengthening the knees, shoulders, so all the nagging injuries don’t come across. Especially in the groin. I’m trying to stay as healthy as possible.”

In his two seasons in the NFL so far, Parsons has twice been named a first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press, one of the highest honors in the NFL.

He is a two-time Pro Bowl selection and was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2021.

The production is next level. Parsons has recorded 149 tackles, 26.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and six passes defended during his two seasons in Dallas. As noted above, he’s become of the league’s best players.

So how else is Micah Parsons looking to improve?

In order to help with his goal of bulking up to 255 pounds before the season, Parsons has upgraded his home gym setup so he can attack things in his off time as well.

“Different things like that add into the things that help you become a better player,” Micah Parsons said. “Because not everything is going to be at work, you have to do some stuff at home too.”

During his college days at Penn State, Parsons was a first-team Freshman All-American in 2018, first-team All-Big Ten and a consensus All-American in 2019. He opted out of the COVID-19 impacted 2020 campaign before going to the NFL Draft.

In two seasons at Penn State, Micah Parsons recorded 191 tackles, 6.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and five passes defended.