Most of the talk about Micah Parsons this offseason has been about his contract and some off-the-field issues, like his podcasting and just being a vocal person. As we all should know by now, Mike Zimmer took over the defense after Dan Quinn became the head coach of the Washington Commanders.
The production from Parsons has put him in a spot to be maybe the highest paid player in football, but he still has two years left on his rookie deal and the chance to show why he should be worth even more in 2024.
Mike Zimmer Effect
From early reports, it sounds like Mike Zimmer is having Micah do a bit of everything in camp. Some reports earlier this summer came out that these two were not clicking, but it seems now that they are back at it, they might be okay.
“I think it’s gonna be a very interesting year,” Parsons said, via the team’s website.
“What I’m gonna be doing is a whole bunch of stuff — dropping in the flats, curls, it’s really everything,” he said.
Mike Zimmer is making the #Cowboys offense work for every blade of grass they gain. https://t.co/QX63y4xUJ8
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) August 6, 2024
You will have part of the fan base think this is a good idea, and the other half think this is a bad idea.
Parsons, the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2021 and a two-time first-team All-Pro, has primarily been a pass rusher in each of his first three seasons in the NFL.
His sack tally rose from 13 in his first season to 13 1/2 in 2022 to 14 last season.
Parsons has been awesome at rushing the passer, but this team is also thin at linebacker. With the loss of Sam Williams on the defensive line, I can see why fans wouldn’t want him to do anything else.
Zimmer’s plan for the coming season involves a wider range of responsibilities than he had under former coordinator Dan Quinn. Those responsibilities include a pass coverage role that he rarely played in the past.
Show Up
I am going to say this just like I do with the offense. Micah is that dude, but just like the rest of the team, let’s show up when it matters the most.
In the playoffs, the defense was good one year against the 49ers, and the offense let them down. Last season, both were so bad it was hard to watch.
We have to be fair here. Micah hasn’t been very good in his four playoff games either.
Eight solo tackles, 10 assists and only one sack? I really do think he is the best player on the team, along with CeeDee Lamb, but man, he has to be better.
Mike Zimmer seems to be the right guy for this defense, though.
They lost a lot of depth in free agency, and now Sam Williams with a torn ACL and MCL, so Parsons, you want to be paid the most money? Go win Defensive Player of The Year in 2024.
Micah Parsons pic.twitter.com/tKiskVgZnW
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 6, 2024
I would just like this team to be able to stop the run. Stop the run and let the offense test the strength of their defense, the secondary.
That was the biggest problem for them in the Dan Quinn era.
Questions About This Season
Things are heating up now with the preseason, and I just don’t know how this season is going to go.
The secondary for the defense should be good. I still wish Stephen Gilmore was back, but once CeeDee Lamb gets his deal, maybe I will feel better.
There’s still a lot of tension with all the contract situations, and I hope it doesn’t linger into the season and cause problems.
Micah Parsons needs to be great, just like Dak Prescott needs to be great, if this team wants to make the playoffs. The schedule is a bit tougher this season, and everyone in the NFC East got better.
