Cowboys star explains how he can unlock Aaron Donald-like dominance

Micah Parsons. Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Micah Parsons explains how he can unlock Aaron Donald-like dominance

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 6/9/23

Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons confirmed last month that he was switching from linebacker to defensive end.

However, Parsons recently stated that he won’t be tied to just one position in 2023 and the plan is for Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to move him across the defensive front quite a bit.

"We're doing a lot of special things," Parsons told reporters. "I don't want to give a lot away right now, but it's going to be a really cool year. I'm probably going to play like eight positions this year. Don't even ask me [which ones]. Just stay tuned. Everything that's in that front seven and some coverage. I'm going to do it all. This is going to be a year to remember for sure."

Micah Parsons will attack opposing teams with speed, quickness and explosive athleticism. He will have an impact similar to one of the best that’s ever done it.pic.twitter.com/PMetm9TRNR
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) June 9, 2023

A two-time first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection, Parsons was one of the top pass rushers last season, where he lined up as an outside linebacker. He had a team-high 13.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss while racking up 106 pressures, 74 hurries and 17 QB hits with a pass-rush win rate of 19.3 percent, per Pro Football Focus.

But two years into his NFL career, Parsons said that he’s over accumulating high sack numbers. Instead, he wants to transition from being an impact sacker to more of a game-wrecker.

“I’m kind of off the sack wave,” Parsons said. “I’m on to the impact wave. Like, you see 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. If you’re always chasing, then you’re never achieving, so I’m not chasing for something.”

More must-reads: