Position won’t matter when it’s time for the Dallas Cowboys to pay Micah Parsons

During rookie minicamp last week, Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn made a point to say that star defender Micah Parsons was not making a full-time move from linebacker to defensive end as Parsons himself had suggest a couple of weeks ago.

“He is a pass-rushing linebacker,” Quinn said. “If you ever need position changes, come to me. I think what he was probably trying to say is, ‘I’m really emphasizing some pass rush into my offseason.’”

Parsons, however, said what he said. And he said it multiple times in explaining his decision to miss the start the teams offseason program to train in Austin with the focus on adding bulk and weight in preparation for an expanded role at defensive end.

“I’m trying to bulk up and just focus on me and my development, carrying that load,” Parsons said.

He also talked about the advantageous of focusing solely at end, allowing him to be the best player possible.

“It just allows me to study. Instead of studying everything I can just study that one guy I just need to beat on Sunday, studying how to win faster,” Parsons said. “Before I was focused on a lot, focused on running backs and focused on receivers and focused on of concepts. Now I can just focus on running [to the quarterback] and stopping the run. I’m ready to show what I can do.”

The position controversy has prompted some to view this as a precursor to a contract showdown between the Cowboys and Parsons when time for a new deal, giving the previous contract disparities between defensive end and linebacker, especially when it comes to the franchise tag number.

“They are. You make a good point,” Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones said. “But Micah is a hybrid player. That’s what makes him great. He’s versatile.”

The Cowboys can sign Parsons to a contract extension as soon as 2024.

Jones said position won’t make a difference to the Cowboys when it comes time to talk money with Parsons.

“He’s a football player,” Jones said. “Whether he’s making 10-plus sacks a year at linebacker or defensive end, I don’t think it’s a big difference.”

The Cowboys are doing to have to pay Parsons as a difference-making defender after a first two seasons in the NFL that rival some of the all-time greats of the games.

Parsons, who was the No. 12 overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, has 26.5 sacks combined in 2021 and 2022 combined. He won the NFL AP Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2021. He has twice been named first-team All-Pro.

So look for a contract that makes him the highest paid defender in the NFL. Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald currently ranks No. 1 at $31.7 million annually followed by Pittsburgh Steelers “rush linebacker” T.J. Watt at $28 million and Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa at $27 million.

Parsons just needs to stay healthy.

While Parsons was classified as a linebacker the last two seasons, he spent the bulk of his time on the defensive line in 2022.

As a rookie, Parsons played 374 snaps on the defensive line and 498 at linebacker. As a sophomore, he played 738 on the defensive line and 171 at linebacker.

From a percentage breakdown, he spent just 19% of his snaps as a linebacker in 2022 and 81% as a defensive end.

The increased usage at end took it’s toll on Parsons, who labored through a number nagging led injuries in 2022 after appearing on the injury report once as a rookie.

That’s why he’s working to bulk up and add strength to handle the wear and tear of playing defensive end, or rush linebacker as Quinn says, in 2023.

Parsons played at 245 pounds last year. His currently at 252 and doesn’t plan to surpass to 255 so he can keep his speed and quickness.

Jones said the Cowboys have have no problem with Parsons working in Austin and away from the team to achieve his goals.

“Yeah, we’re comfortable with that,” Jones said. “That’s not unlike a lot of guys. Some guys get more attention for it than others. Obviously historically the majority of our team likes to work here. But understand completely if Micah’s looking to get a little extra help. We’ve had players do that throughout the time we’ve been here.”