Micah Parsons isn’t concerned about Lane Johnson’s ‘kickback’ move ahead of Sunday’s matchup

Parsons believes NFL’s desire for more offense messes with defenders.

Micah Parsons says he isn't worried about Lane Johnson's kick back move.Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff Photographer

Published Dec. 7, 2023, 2:15 p.m. ET

Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons was locked in on the Eagles’ game vs. the 49ers.

Dallas played Seattle on Thursday, giving Parsons the day off to scout his upcoming opponent, the Birds.

Watching Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson hold 49ers All-Pro pass rusher Nick Bosa without a penalty, Parsons took to X, formerly Twitter, to comment on a trend he’s seen in the NFL.

Parsons himself has drawn only two holding penalties all season. He has 11½ sacks in 12 games, tied for sixth in the NFL.

Ahead of Sunday’s matchup with the Eagles, Parsons elaborated about what he thinks is a leaguewide effort for more offense at the expense of the rules.

“It’s comical, you know,” Parsons said Wednesday after practice. “... It’s something that we should not even call out anymore. We all see what’s going on. We don’t got to say it. The fans, the media, the reporters, they all see it. It is just something they are not making an emphasis on. And you know, they’re getting away and they want teams to score lots of points. At the end of the day, that’s what they want. They want fans to get excited, that’s what fans like, you like touchdowns. Y’all don’t really like sacks and things like that.”

Parsons is preparing for another challenging matchup against one of the league’s best offensive lines, and it’s not just holding that he doesn’t expect to see called.

Johnson is famous for his kickback move, which allows him to get back into his blocking stance without being called for a false start. But Parsons is unconcerned.

“I guess if you’re slow, that [stinks],” Parsons said Wednesday. “I don’t have that problem.”