Dallas Cowboys edge-rusher Micah Parsons is one of the best defensive players in the NFL, but he has made it known that he wants to try his hand at playing offense.
So, head coach Mike McCarthy gave Parsons a few snaps at running back during practice last week. Now that the three-time All-Pro has gotten a taste for life on the other side of the ball, he has a plan to ensure he gets some offensive playing time down the road.
“I think I’ll get to a certain point in my career, maybe when I’m 30, and I’m on my way out of here, I’m going to say, ‘I’m either playing offense or I’m retiring, Jerry. I’m at that end of the road. I’m either living my dream or I’m not anymore,’” Parsons told reporters. “So when I’m 30, I might finally get my carry or I might play tight end like [Jason Witten]. I can block, too. I can do it all. I think on my way out of here I’ll finally get my offensive dreams.”
Parsons actually has some experience at running back. He played the position during his junior and senior years at Harrisburg High School, rushing for 1,239 yards and 27 touchdowns as a senior.
The former Penn State star still has five years to go before he hits his 30th birthday and he will likely have plenty left in the tank as a pass-rush specialist at that point, but will he have enough juice for the workload commensurate of a starting RB? He says, that won’t matter.
“I just need first downs,” Parsons said. “First downs and goal line.”
This isn’t the first time Parsons has lobbied to get some reps with the Cowboys offense. Last October, the former first-round pick received a few scout-team reps at tight end during practice. He has been lobbying for more ever since.
