Micah Parsons in New System: Who Wins?

Few players in the NFL possess the physical skills and versatility of Dallas Cowboys' defensive star Micah Parsons. His play has made that evident through three seasons though he will have to embrace a wave of change heading into his fourth season.

In Dan Quinn's regime, Parsons thrived. Coming into the league as a linebacker, the Cowboys excelled when installing him on the edge. But by his third season, that almost became his exclusive function.

The Dallas linebacker would continue to move around the defense, but much of his involvement in coverage or otherwise stemmed from his threat on the line. Of course, that was not a bad decision and the Cowboys defense maintained its success with him on the field.

But it has become clear in the early stages of the season that Mike Zimmer and his crew intend to unlock Parsons ability in a manner that stresses his versatility.

"We're going to utilize his abilities to what puts him in the best position, our team in the best position," Cowboys defensive run game coordinator Paul Guenther said.

"Sometimes it's going to be good for him, sometimes it's going to be good for the guy next to him, he's just gotta understand the role. Really what we're trying to do is get him to understand the whole defense, not just one spot."

For the entirety of the Dallas defense, this should be a significant boost. The Cowboys have the bodies to install off the edge and in the middle, whether in run or pass coverage. Depending on the situation, Parsons presence will draw the offense's attention and create opportunities for others to be featured, as Gunther alludes to.

But where is the benefit in that scenario for the Cowboys' star? First, the attention off the edge should simmer down. When Parsons is constantly moving across the formation, it may serve less effective to double team him, a circumstance he encountered more than any other player in football in 2023.

At a greater scale, this is a year of expansion for Parsons the player and the leader. Understanding the entirety of his scheme will make him a smarter player and a more effective translation of the coach on the field.

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That enhancement of his skills cannot be understated when looking at this team's aspirations in 2024 and beyond.

While this new defense under Zimmer will challenge Parsons from now and into regular season action, the demands of more from him are complimentary. As much as these changes benefit him, they will impact the Cowboys in the same way.

So far, it appears he is open to following Zimmer's lead.