Content creator, impact player Micah Parsons to have year to remember for Dallas Cowboys

Micah Parsons is going to be Micah Parsons.

He is going to do everything and play everywhere on the football field and have fun off the field, especially on social media.

And even though he’s been called the NFL’s version of Drake — he continually chooses a different favorite basketball team during the NBA playoffs — he doesn’t care what people think or say.

“I’m a content creator. I’m gonna just put like that,” Parsons said with a laugh. “I get everybody riled up. If football doesn’t work out, I’m going to do content. I live carefree. I’m gonna just do what I want, get my little change. And move on. That’s all I care about.”

Parsons has been seen in Philadelphia 76ers jersey and Boston Celtics jersey over the past month. He has cheered for the Lebron James and the Los Angeles Lakers on Twitter.

And he is riding with Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat in the NBA finals.

Parsons says he’s a fan of players not teams, though his frequent jersey swapping has caused him to get teased by players in the Cowboys locker room and others across the league on social media.

“They try to get down on me but once they realize, I’m still rookie year Micah, they know I don’t care,” Parsons said.

He’s rookie year Micah in mindset but he takes comfort in finding his place as a three-year veteran and leader on the Cowboys.

“I feel super comfortable,” Parsons said. “I know my lane. I know the edges to graze. I know the shortcuts, the ins and outs and just really just building those relationships with the coaches.”

His focus has changed from searching for individual awards to team goals.

Parsons made first team All-Pro his first two seasons. He has 26.5 sacks in 33 games so far in his career.

But when asked about the goal of winning the NFL sack title this year, which is openly talked about during in 2022, Parsons had a different take.

“I’m kinda off the sack wave. I’m onto the impact wave,” Parsons said. “You see [Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle] 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.”

Parsons plans to achieve in 2023 by added bulk, weight and strength. It’s partly to handle the rigors of playing more defensive end than linebacker.

But it’s also because it will lead to the greatness he is seeking.

He played at 245 pounds in 2022. He is now 250 and play between 250-252 in 2023.

“It is more of a muscle gain,” Parsons said. “So I wanted to lean out and just really put on good stuff and get into the best shape my life. I just want to create like the best version of me. I feel like I’m trying to just be great. And like, I just want to put some size on, like the right weight though. I just wanna eat right, just do everything right. So that way I can have longevity in my career and my life.”

Parsons admittedly felt growing pains of playing end last year. He had eight sacks over the first seven games and 5.5 over the last 10 when he dealt with nagging injuries.

“I was just going through the motions,” Parsons said. “It was like a really long year. Every week something new was coming up. And it really was just the growing pains of playing a lot more defensive end with chips not really having a plan. Guys like throwing me off my game.”

Parsons has worked the entire offseason to add strength, gain new pass rush moves. He has engulfed himself into some boxing workouts, while also picking the brains of elite offensive linemen like former Los Angeles Rams star Andrew Whitworth.

What has he learned?

“Being smooth is fast,” Parsons said. And don’t be fast. Be smooth, be smooth. Because sometimes you feel like you got to do more to win. And you just got to be smooth. You see track stars look like they’re not moving. They’re smooth and fast. Just focus on being smooth. Everything is smooth, and just durability and taking care of my body.”

And while Parsons has talked about focusing more on end in 2023, he now says his package in Dan Quinn’s defensive will more expansive than ever. He plan to line up at eight different positions.

“Just playing chess, just being able to move around,” Parsons said. “I think that’s the special ability that I have. We’re doing a lot of special things. I don’t want to give a lot away right now. But uh, it’s gonna be a really cool year. I’m probably gonna spend like eight positions this year. So don’t even ask me.”

Eight?

“Anything that’s in front seven and some coverage,” Parsons said. “Yeah, I’m telling you I’m gonna do it. It’s gonna be a year to remember for sure.”