Micah Parsons has finished second in the Defensive Player of the Year voting after each of his two sensational NFL seasons.
Dallas Cowboys safety Jayron Kearse thinks his star teammate will shed the runner-up designation in 2023.
“I expect a Defensive Player of the Year type of year from him," Kearse said. "Hands down. If I was a betting guy, my money is on him."
“I expect a Defensive Player of the Year type of year from him," Kearse said. "Hands down. If I was a betting guy, my money is on him."
Parsons finished behind T.J. Watt when compiling 13 sacks, 30 quarterback hits, and three forced fumbles as a rookie.
He replicated that instant success last season with 13.5 sacks and three fumble recoveries, one returned for a touchdown.
"He has the ability to wreck a game at any given moment when he wants to," Kearse said. "The type of impact I’m expecting him to have not only for the defense, but for the team is tremendous."
Kearse described a "much different" mentality from the 24-year-old star this preseason.
"He comes in like, ‘I’m the lion.’ He lives like that throughout the day, throughout the week, just like,
‘I’m the baddest guy out here.’ He has shown that. That’s the biggest difference I’ve seen from him."
Parsons could finish high in the voting again as he focuses his attention on pass-rushing in 2023.
He'll look to get on the right path when Dallas opens the season against the New York Giants.