A Dallas Cowboys coach says LB Micah Parsons can start at every position. Parsons agrees

Dallas Cowboys defensive passing game coordinator/secondary coach Joe Witt was not trying to make a mouth-dropping statement.

He was simply trying to explain the greatness of do-it-all linebacker Micah Parsons, who is already outgrowing and outlasting superlatives in his second season in the NFL.

After making first-team All-Pro honors and finishing second in NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting as a rookie while playing all over the field at defensive end, middle linebacker, outside linebacker and defensive tackle in 2021, Parsons has taken his game to a higher and more unblockable level in 2022.

He is fifth in the NFL in sacks (8), fourth in quarterback pressures (39) and first in pass rush win rate (32%) through eight games. He keeps opposing coaches up a night as they try to create schemes to slow him down, making him the leading candidate for NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

Parsons added to his growing legend before the bye when the 6-foot-3, 250-pounder with 4.3-second speed in the 40-yard dash returned a fumble for a touchdown. The play increased his cries for carrying the ball on offense, prompting Whitt’s now viral statement.

“This is my 16th year in the league (and) this is the first guy that I know, if he was at safety, could start on all 32 teams at safety. If he was at linebacker, start on all 32 teams at linebacker. If he played defensive end, he’d start on all 32 teams at all three levels of the defense.”

“You put him on offense, he’d start at running back, tight end,’‘ Whitt said. “I mean, quarterback might be the only position that this kid (can’t play). He is so talented, There’s nothing he can’t do. I mean absolutely nothing he can’t do. So it’s just fun to watch him develop ... That’s the fun part.”

Parsons is only getting started with his career. As he prepares to resume play Sunday against the Green Bay Packers after last week’s bye fully refreshed and recharged after a quick trip to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.

He fully embraces the notion that he could play and start at all the positions.

“Yeah for sure, I agree with that. I vouch for it everyday,” Parsons said.

But the things that sets him apart is that he is never satisfied and he continues to thrive for greatness in his attitude and work ethic.

“To do that, I’m not afraid of the criticism from the coach and I strive for perfection throughout my process,” Parsons said. “Just understand some days are going to be bad and some days are not going to be perfect understanding that you going to lose and you’re not going to get a sack every time or you might not get the QB every time. If you take the passion and the effort to learn your position and do everything within that position then I think you truly can play any position that you want to do. But you got to put in the work and understand the game to do that.”

Parsons embraces playing different positions on the Cowboys defense because it helps him “learn more about the game and you find your way through that game.”

He has certainly got the full attention of quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the reeling Packers, who have lost five straight games.

“He’s got a lot of things you just can’t coach,” Rodgers said. “The effort he plays with is incredible. He’s definitely a one-of-one in this league. I don’t know if there’s anybody doing as any things as they’re asking him to do.”

Parsons has sights dead set on Rodgers, who has been sacked 18 times in nine games and is on pace for the third most sacks in his career.

He is looking to add the jersey of the future Hall of Famer and the four-time MVP to his growing trophy case.

“Yeah I would love a jersey from Rodgers. I’m a fan of him, a fan of the game,” Parsons said. “He’s a guy you want to play against. He’s a guy an idol and a figure in this league that you look up to. I look up to him. He’s been in the league a long time and he’s done it the right way. He’s a helluva player no one can take that from him. Me getting to go against him maybe sack him just might be a mental note for me.”