Parsons calls playoff criticism 'a privilege'

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons is embracing criticism ahead of his fourth year about whether he can consistently produce, particularly in the playoffs.

"The criticism is a privilege because sometimes a great standard is not good enough for those who are greater," Parsons said Friday, according to The Dallas Morning News' Sophia Vesly. "When people want things, you have to answer the call. It is not a negative thing. It is the most positive thing people can say to me because it pushes me and challenges me to be better."

Parsons has found immediate success since being drafted by the Cowboys in 2021, winning AP Defensive Rookie of the Year and receiving two first-team All-Pro nods.

However, the Penn State product has struggled to extend his regular-season success into the postseason. In 2023, Parsons recorded three tackles for loss and one sack over three playoff games after posting a career-high 14 sacks during the regular season.

Parsons also said Friday that he focused on muscle endurance this offseason, adding more lunges and squats to workouts to help keep his legs going later in the campaign.

Dallas' defense will see a new face at the helm in 2024, with Mike Zimmer replacing Dan Quinn. Parsons said he's eager to embrace the new defensive play-caller.

"(The defensive team) has been very open and transparent with me about what they want, and how they want their defense to be run, and how he wants me to line up. It is great," Parsons added.

Parsons is eligible for an extension after Dallas picked up the fifth-year option on his contract. The dynamic edge rusher is expected to get a significant deal and joins Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb among a queue of Cowboys players seeking a new pact ahead of the 2025 season.

After missing most of the Cowboys' voluntary OTAs, Parsons returned to the team's facility for mandatory minicamp in June.

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