Micah Parsons Mismanaged by Cowboys

Micah Parsons, the talented linebacker, was allegedly mismanaged by the Dallas Cowboys. In 2021, Parsons posted 64 solo tackles and 13.0 sacks as a rookie.

The Cowboys changed Parsons' position, which visibly angered Broncos legend Mark Schlereth. Schlereth believes Parsons should be used in multiple areas, including defensive end and middle linebacker.

Parsons played in a flexible role with the Cowboys, alternating between off-ball linebacker and blitzing edge rusher. He earned the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award for his immediate success rushing the passer.

Under defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, Parsons was moved almost exclusively to the line of scrimmage. This change made it easier for opposing offenses to account for him, as he was no longer a hybrid off-ball linebacker.

At 245 pounds, Parsons was undersized compared to traditional defensive ends, taking a severe physical toll on him. The Cowboys had their reasons for making this call, including DeMarcus Lawrence's foot injury and Randy Gregory's COVID-19 complications.

The Cowboys triggered Parsons' fifth-year option under the lower financial baseline designation of a defensive end, rather than a linebacker. Parsons argued that he was a linebacker and should earn around $24 million, rather than the $21.3 million he would have made as a defensive end.

As an edge rusher, Parsons recorded 52.0 sacks and 127 combined tackles in 65 games for the Cowboys. He appeared happy playing that position, but the contract dispute led to his departure from Dallas.

Mark Schlereth, the three-time Super Bowl champion, believes the Cowboys limited Parsons' game-breaking potential by fixing him in one role. Schlereth thinks Parsons should be used in multiple areas to maximize his impact on the game.