The Dallas Cowboys have been reportedly using Micah Parsons more at a position he’s stated he doesn’t want to play. New defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer has a different plan for Parsons in the upcoming season.
Micah Parsons wanted help from the Dallas Cowboys
Parsons made two requests from the Cowboys front office this offseason. Get him some help at linebacker and on the interior defensive line. The Cowboys did neither. Head coach Mike McCarthy did hire an old-school defensive coordinator to lead the unit after Dan Quinn took the Washington Commanders head coaching job.
Mike Zimmer wants Parsons to play off-the-ball linebacker
According to Jon Machota of The Athletic, DC Mike Zimmer has been playing Parsons more at off-the-ball linebacker during his reps in practice:
Zimmer seems to want to see more LB reps from Dallas’ star pass rusher. That’s been noticeable early in practices. Parsons said his reps at linebacker and edge rusher will be determined during the season by the opponent. Lawrence has been getting more work at right defensive end, with Parsons occasionally lining up behind him at linebacker and then both rushing the passer together.
Zimmer and Parsons didn’t communicate much during the offseason, as the star pass rusher chose to train on his own during the offseason. Parsons said he wanted Zimmer to compromise with him on how to run the defense. Parsons is spending extra time with the defensive coach staff during training camp. And he’ll have to work harder to learn a position he didn’t want to play.
Parsons wants to stay on the edge
Last season, Parsons made it clear in a post on X that he did not want to play off-the-ball linebacker for the Cowboys:
Its because teams are running the ball and people like to panic ! Im Probaly leading every category in pash rushing besides sacks! People are nuts ! And if people watch film they take shots and pass more when I’m off ball or out the game! We have to get better period!
The Cowboys did not get better, period. Because of their lack of depth on defense, Parsons will play more at a position he didn’t want to play. How he handles that change during the season remains to be seen.
