Micah Parsons, former Defensive Rookie of the Year and star linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys has been in the news this week. He is preparing to return to AT&T Stadium for the first time since being traded to the Green Bay Packers. That highly touted prospect ended up being the 12th overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. He has since started all 67 Cowboys’ games since then, including playoff games. His return is a different story — hitting the nostalgia button on just about every fan. It also raises some concerns about what the Cowboys might be missing without him.
In his initial three games with Green Bay, Parsons has made an impressive impact on the field, recording 1.5 sacks, six quarterback hurries, five tackles, and one tackle for loss. This latest performance is just another shining example of his skills, and a testament to how crucial he’s been to the Packers’ defensive starting lineup.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones sounded very optimistic about the team’s long-term outlook immediately after Parsons’ trade went through. He knows the Cowboys will be in position to make a playoff run this year. Much of this optimism stems from the precious loot gained in the Green Bay trade, highlighted by two first round investments. While Jones is appreciative of Parsons’ genius and his overall contributions while he was on the team.
“Micah’s a great player. I’ll never forget when we didn’t draft [Randy Moss], he came in here and scored about three, I think, 50-yard touchdowns and waved at us as he was running by the bench. This old stuff of retribution can get a little dicey sometimes.” – Jerry Jones
As Parsons readies himself to take the field against his former teammates, discussions between Parsons and other former players have come about. Hall of Famer DeMarcus Ware already mentioned that Parsons is probably going to go into the contest with a chip on his shoulder.
“He’s coming here to, like, prove a point,” – DeMarcus Ware
Ware is confident that Parsons’ competitive edge will push him to maximize his potential. The former Cowboy’s comparison of Parsons to other athletes who have come back to Dallas to play against their former team is a more frequent occurrence. He does think that Parsons will be fired up for this big matchup.
Emotions will surely be at a fever pitch come game time. As current Cowboys player Ezekiel Elliott reiterates, finding points of focus goes beyond simply preparing for the game. He knew that when he laid eyes on his former teammate, it could jumpstart all sorts of years-ago emotions. For him, it’s all about the personal best.
“I mean, I don’t have that much time to be too emotional,” – Ezekiel Elliott
Elliott’s remarks reflect the mindset many players hold when returning to familiar territory yet competing against friends and former teammates. He acknowledges that emotions are always there, below the surface, but believes practice and professional performance should come first.
Parsons’ return poses an intriguing question for Cowboys fans: what do they miss without him? His knack for sidestepping opponents and creating chaos in offensive backfields with quickness and burst has been a signature to his game. Parsons is return to the AT&T Stadium turf! Cowboys fans and players will certainly continue to feel the loss from his contributions and speculate on what could have been if he had remained with the team.
Jones takes a bit more nuanced view toward Parsons’ exit. He seems to understand that losing a player like Parsons is a devastating loss. These challenges open up an opportunity for increased professional development and team-building. As he does, he is already looking ahead and feels confident that the Cowboys are positioned to quickly rebuild and stay competitive for years to come.
“Emmitt [Smith] was a different story, but that’s not to diminish Micah. But I think Micah’s got enough ‘welcome’ out there and we just need to show we’ve got antidotes for that.” – Jerry Jones
As game day gets closer, excitement grows for this emotionally loaded matchup that’s sure to be one of a kind. Supporters can expect a thrilling contest between two extremely talented sides. On top of all that, they’ll be treated to a personal grudge match between Parsons and his old pals.
Leave a Reply