Micah Parsons wants to take on more responsibility for the Dallas Cowboys. During an appearance on the Ross Tucker Football Podcast, Cowboys special teams coordinator John Fassel expressed interest in the star linebacker becoming a kickoff returner following the rule changes that are set to take effect next season.
He said he was there. “You know Micah, so he’s encouraged me in the past to be the primary kickoff returner,” Fassel said. “Mika, I think that’s a question that requires you to be a little more senior than I am.” But do I want to see him there again? Because, of course, he’s going to be great.
He’ll catch it and go wild and probably gain incredible yards. But that won’t happen. I understand that. ”
The new rules change the structure of the kickoff game, with the most notable changes affecting player placement. Blockers line up at the 40-yard line, just 5 yards from the opposing team. The kicker will be back at the other 35-yard line and the returner will be lined up in the landing zone, which is within the 20-yard line to the end zone.
The change is expected to increase safety as well as promote more returns. Only 22 percent of kickoffs were returned in 2023, while this new system could jump this number up to “50-or-60 percent”, per the NFL Football Operations data and analytics team.
Parsons did notably play some special teams in college and Fassel remembered scouting him in the role before the Cowboys drafted him. “Micah has asked about being a primary kickoff returner, that hasn’t been allowed yet,” Fassel said. “Unless you say, ‘Hey, we’re six seconds late and there’s eight seconds left in the game, we’ve got to score a touchdown and a kick return to win.'” Maybe I They probably brought Micah there as the second returnee.
Still, his value to the Cowboys’ defense outweighs the benefit special teams would get from using him. He is a three-time Pro Bowler and a perennial candidate for Defensive Player of the Year.
