Dallas Cowboys star running back Micah Parsons has never been one to keep his opinions to himself.
Heading into the offseason after another solid regular season but an unsuccessful playoff run, he knows what the Cowboys need to do to shore up their 2024 roster.
Parsons, who spoke on “The Stephen A. Smith Show” during NBA All-Star weekend, said more muscle is needed on the defensive side of the ball right away.
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Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys warms up before the wild card playoff game against the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on January 14, 2024. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
“I said look at every team that was in those final four,” Parson said, referring to the NFL's final four playoff teams. “Who did they have? Who did Baltimore have? A great linebacking corps, right? Who did San Francisco have? A great linebacking corps. KC, [Nick] Bolton, and they arrived. “We need to get another bigger linebacker.”
Parsons also believes he is a “nasty” interior lineman after seeing what the Kansas City Chiefs' Chris Jones and Mike Pennel did during the Super Bowl.
“I think we have a lot of forwards,” Parsons said of his current teammates on the defensive line. “I think Osa [Odighizuwa], can play inside and outside, one of the most versatile coaches. When we [got Johnathan] Skein[ins]He's a big guy, but we need to get one of those big, old, nasty, pass-catching, get-go guys. [guys]”.
MICAH PARSONS IS THE COWBOYS' 'MOST SELFISH PLAYER', SAYS FORMER NFL RECEIVER
But Parsons isn't biased toward the defensive side of the ball, at least not all the time. He believes the offense needs to make one move in particular: keeping running back Tony Pollard.
“I'd say towards the end of the season, Tony Pollard was getting his groove back again,” Parsons said. “I think he's an every-try guy. You have to think: He broke his fibula, his tibia, something like that, it's a catastrophic injury. You're talking about a guy who's really been out of it.” [since] January returned in Week 1, but he didn't really do much. It will take some time to return to football. He didn't do OTA. He didn't do minicamp. He was kind of camped out, like he got over it and did it again.”
“You saw him increase, like he was even saying, ‘Now I’m getting back to myself.’ I would give Tony Pollard another chance.”
Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys thinks he knows what his team needs heading into next season. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Pollard could be franchise tagged again by Dallas this offseason, if they so choose.
But the Cowboys also have contract situations with quarterback Dak Prescott, who will play out the final year of his contract in 2024, as well as star receiver CeeDee Lamb, who could also be seeking a new contract soon.
There's also Parsons, who could cash in this offseason if Dallas is willing to extend him after three seasons. His production has shown that he is one of the best young running backs in the game, but the Cowboys must first be smart with his money in 2024.
“If they call my number and say, 'Hey, we're ready,' we're ready. But if not, I'm going to put [together] “Another Pro Bowl year,” Parsons said. “It only gets more expensive.”
Michael Parsons (Richard Rodríguez/Getty Images)
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The Cowboys have a lot of decisions to make about their roster for next season and beyond if they want to have similar success in the regular season and, more importantly, return to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1995.
