Video: Cowboys' Micah Parsons Working with Boxing Trainer Ahead of 2024 NFL Season

Micah Parsons is learning how to better throw aside offensive tackles by throwing hands.

The Dallas Cowboys pass-rusher is working with a boxing trainer this offseason as he prepares for the 2024 campaign.

"Just like in football, in boxing, you get your most power when you're balanced," Parsons told Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News. "And it's great because just like in football, your hands and feet have to be synchronized. So, I'm working so much on just my hands and feet moving together, stepping into my jab, turning into my one-two. Everything turns out better for me."

Parsons has made the Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams in each of his first three NFL seasons, so it's hard to see how much more he could improve heading into Year 4. The Penn State product racked up 64 tackles and a career-high 14 sacks in 2023 while finishing third in Defensive Player of the Year voting.

Parsons said he's focused this offseason on his "spirit" to avoid committing penalties on the field.

"Mike [McCarthy] and I talked multiple times this offseason about how can we create more self-discipline, how can we eliminate the penalties, how can we create a better environment to be better," Parsons said. "It starts with me. That's why I've been putting so much into that. You've got to learn how to lead. You have to learn almost everything in life. …

"I realized I need to increase my spirit, so when others are down, my spirit rises."

While the Cowboys are yet to ink Parsons to a long-term contract extension, there's little doubt he's considered the centerpiece of the Dallas defense moving forward. Adding some extra quickness to his hands won't hurt in perhaps giving Parsons his best year yet in 2024.