FRISCO, Texas - Football season is getting closer and closer.
The Cowboys are set to depart for training camp in less a month. That's when we'll get the first up-close look at Brian Schottenheimer's first season with this revised roster and coaching staff. When we get to Oxnard, that's when we'll start to get some real answers about this 2025 Cowboys team.
But what are the questions? We've compiled our annual list of pressing questions that need answers heading into the regular season. The staff writers, consisting of Patrik Walker, Tommy Yarrish, Nick Eatman, Mickey Spagnola, Kyle Youmans and Kurt Daniels, weigh in on some of the pressing issues.
As we get near the end of the series, let's look at Micah Parsons. There have been so many talks about his contract situation this summer but what will he do on the field? And what will it take for him to win Defensive Player of the Year.
3) How can Micah become Defensive Player of the Year in 2025
Tommy: Micah Parsons has already been a game wrecker throughout the entirety of his career. The sacks are there, the pressures are there, everything he needs to have from a numerical standpoint is going to have Parsons in the conversation year in and year out. So, how does he come out of the "shadows" that've seemingly been in front of him in the form of Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt at his position? Simply put, outperform them. Whether that be a 20 sack season or flourishing in another category, the numbers game is a big part of the award but the impact felt on the field plays a part in it too. Getting pressure on the quarterback, leading teammates into sacks, coming up with the biggest plays in the biggest moments, the mixture of all of that is going to be the formula Parsons needs to follow if he finally wants to break through and take home some silverware.
Mickey: First of all, get himself in training camp on time to prepare for the 2025 season and don't let his holdout cost him games early in the season. After all, he is under contract for a guaranteed, one-year, $24 million which isn't chump change by the way. Of course, sacks numbers are important, producing another double-digit sack season but also being an all-around defensive player, meaning making plays against the run and doing a good job of setting the edge at defensive end, not allowing running plays to bounce outside him. Now he's going to continue facing double teams and must continue to defeat those as he has in the past, not allowing offenses to take him out of the game. He's capable of making enough impact to be in this conversation.
Kyle: For me, it starts with consistency. Parsons has pieced together four incredible seasons of production with at least 12 sacks per campaign. However, he struggled to finish the 2021, 2022, and 2023 seasons with the same level of success in the months of November and December. Last season, he was much better down the stretch, but was hindered in the award conversation because of four games missed in late October.
Parsons has all the talent needed to finally get over the hump and win the award, the biggest difference is whether he can stay on the field or continue the same production when it matters most. Those two elements will automatically increase his sack numbers, pressures, and odds to be the best defender in the NFL.
Patrik: Having been in the discussion for DPOY since his rookie season, it feels like now would be a sensational time for Parsons to take the throne away from Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt. It truly does feel like it's his time to do so, but that won't be easy when considering he has to learn a new scheme and defensive language, again, but, then again, it's never stopped him in the past from racking up double digit sacks, and despite missing games due to injury last season. In my opinion, Parsons is tired of being viewed as "not as good as" Garrett and Watt, and Eberflus' attack-heavy scheme will give him plenty of opportunities to approach the 20-sack mark this season. If he sniffs that number, he'll likely be placed on the throne, and the Cowboys will might make a playoff run as a result.
Nick: What a great goal that is. But he doesn't really have to achieve that for him to be the difference maker he has been. But to reach those heights in Year 5 of his career, Parsons is going to have to be in the neighborhood of 20 sacks. Yes, we've seen him wreck games even without getting a lot of sacks. People that know the game, realize that he can be a force even if he's not on top of the quarterback. But that award needs some stats to go behind it. I think he needs a 20-sack season at least.
Kurt: There's no doubt Parsons is one of the best in the business when it comes to rushing the passer. He was ranked third last season by Pro Football Focus with a pass-rushing grade of 91.6, and his 52.5 sacks since entering the league in 2021 are the fifth most in the NFL over the last four years. But there are two areas that are perhaps hindering him as far as earning the award. While PFF obviously considers him elite in getting to the quarterback, their 65.5 grade for his run defense ranks only 45th. In addition, during his career he has totaled 18.5 sacks in Games 9-12, easily his best four-game stretch. But in the final five games combined, 13-17, he has 12.5. If he can shake off the perception that he struggles against the run and that he's worn out by the end of the season, all while continuing to rack up sacks, there's no reason he can't earn that coveted honor.
