Micah Parsons took very little time to dispel any notion that he was just an off-the-ball linebacker. Not only can he keep anything that comes on the second level of the defense under siege, but he can also rush the passer and have success at an alarming rate coming off the edge.
Parsons and his 20 tackles for loss, 30 quarterback hits, and 13 sacks spearheaded a Cowboys’ defense that led the NFL in turnovers and stopping opposing offenses on third-down. He was named a First-Team All-Pro, the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month twice, and the Pepsi Zero Rookie of the Week three times. Earlier on Tuesday he earned the 101 Awards’ NFC Defensive Player of the Year and now he has to make more room in his trophy case. Parsons has been voted both the Rookie of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year by the Pro Football Writers of America.
Micah Parsons has been voted the 2021 NFL Rookie of the Year and NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year by @PFWAwriters. Parsons is the third Cowboys player selected as the PFWA’s Rookie of the Year (Tony Dorsett in 1977, Ezekiel Elliott in 2016) and the first to receive DPOY. pic.twitter.com/2BpL2o9qMy
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) January 25, 2022
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The former Penn State Nittany Lion dominated the final two full months of the season amassing 10.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, and 18 quarterback hits. Parsons is all but certain to be named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and is one of the top contenders for Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is the architect that turned the Cowboys’ defense around after being the worst in team history in 2020 under Mike Nolan. He mainly did so due to utilizing Parsons at four different positions through the season, which he’s is more than fine with.
“I take complete pride in being the most versatile player in the NFL,” said Parsons.
Hard to believe there’s any doubt to that being a false statement. Parsons not only lived up to the expectations that were placed upon him, but he also set a new standard for how rookie defenders will be judged by going forward.