Micah Parsons Weighs in on Cam Newton‘s Controversial Comments About Young QBs
Hall of Fame-bound quarterback Cam Newton recently made waves with bold comments assessing the abilities of several of today‘s top NFL signal callers. Speaking on his weekly YouTube show, Newton shared his candid thoughts on up-and-coming 49ers QB Brock Purdy and Chiefs offensive weapon Tyreek Hill, labeling them a "game manager" and "game changer" respectively.
The hot take has drawn both criticism and support across league circles. Count Cowboys linebacker and 2022 first-team All-Pro Micah Parsons among those siding with the former MVP‘s right to critique players. During his own YouTube reaction video, Parsons defended Newton‘s assessment while offering his own nuanced takes on what makes for winning football.
As one of the league‘s most disruptive defensive forces, Parsons possesses unique credentials for evaluating offensive players. His remarkable rookie debut in 2021 saw the linebacker rack up 13 sacks and 30 QB hits on his way to NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. This past season, the Cowboys wrecking ball followed up by leading the NFL with 13.5 sacks. Suffice to say when Parsons talks defense against offenses, people around the league listen.
Unpacking the "Game Manager vs. Game Changer" Framework
At the heart of the debate lies the distinction Newton drew between a "game manager" and "game changer." The former Carolina Panther classified Purdy in the first camp, implying he relies more heavily on surrounding talent than individual playmaking ability.
As Parsons is quick to point out, being a game manager shouldn‘t be viewed as an inherently negative designation. It signifies a quarterback who makes smart decisions, protects the football, and puts teammates in positions to excel. Yet it generally stops short of a player who single-handedly alters the course of games.
"A game manager doesn‘t mean that you‘re not capable of making the throws, of making the plays," Newton clarified. "It just means you‘re not the primary reason why you‘re winning. There‘s a balance."
So where might other top quarterbacks fall on this spectrum? Kansas City‘s Patrick Mahomes and Buffalo‘s Josh Allen likely qualify as "game changers" in Newton‘s framework. Both are elite arm talents perfectly capable of going off script and creating highlight plays outside structure. Yet they also benefit from continuity in offensive systems built around their improvisational skills.
Guys like Miami‘s Tua Tagovailoa and Cincinnati‘s Joe Burrow fall more towards the game manager archetype. Neither boast the awe-inspiring physical tools of Mahomes or Allen, but instead win through accuracy, intelligence, and quick decision making. Yet with the right surrounding cast, such qualities can prove equally effective for orchestrating an elite offense. Just look at Burrow‘s Super Bowl run with the Bengals last season.
Then you have an all-time great like Tom Brady—perhaps the ultimate game manager early on who evolved into a bonafide game changer late in his career. Brady refined the quick passing game into an art form, but also proved capable of placing balls deep downfield into tight windows when necessary. Does any other player better embody the nuance Newton described here?
Parsons Defends Dak Prescott as a "Difference Maker"
When discussing game-changing quarterbacks, Newton held up Chiefs phenom Patrick Mahomes as the gold standard today. One signal caller he felt fell more into the game manager category was Parsons‘ teammate, Cowboys QB Dak Prescott.
Parsons was quick to come to Prescott‘s defense, pushing back on the notion that Dak merely facilitates the talent around him rather than driving offense himself. The Cowboys linebacker cited Prescott‘s rare mix of passing and running ability as evidence he is very much capable of taking over games.
"I wouldn‘t necessarily say Dak is really a game manager. I think Dak is a difference maker," Parsons opined.
Indeed, Prescott‘s numbers reveal a quarterback adept at making plays both inside and outside of structure. Since entering the league in 2016, Dak ranks third among all QBs with 4,549 rushing yards. His 26 rushing touchdowns during that stretch trail only Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson for most by a quarterback. Prescott is equally lethal through the air, compiling the fourth-most passing yards through a player‘s first six seasons in NFL history.
Dak also has a proven track record of excelling in late-game scenarios. His 18 game-winning drives since entering the league tie Buffalo‘s Josh Allen for most among active quarterbacks. Meanwhile, his 20 fourth quarter comebacks during that span rank fifth league-wide. So while Prescott may not boast the improvisational magic of Mahomes or Allen, he has shown plenty of ability to put the team on his shoulders when it matters most.
Parsons went on to credit Prescott with covering up holes in Dallas‘ roster and defense, echoing Newton‘s stance on the dependency dynamic between quarterbacks and their surrounding casts.
The Importance of Balance and Defense
Indeed, the tension between Newton and Parsons seems to stem less from disagreement and more from varied interpretation. Both emphasized roster construction as a key determinant of a quarterback‘s perceived success.
Newton noted most legendary quarterbacks hailed from balanced teams featuring strong defenses and run games. He cited his own 2015 MVP campaign in Carolina—a year the Panthers went 15-1 and reached the Super Bowl behind the league‘s top scoring defense. Quarterbacks shouldering the load alone in spite of weak supporting rosters, Newton argued, rarely experience championship-level team success.
Parsons echoed that sentiment from the defensive side of the ball, stressing that quarterbacks "can‘t do it on their own." He seemed to call out the one-sided criticism often lobbed at signal callers on teams that come up short.
As an NFC East rival, Parsons has had an up-close look at the kind of pressure a weak defense puts on even exceptional quarterbacks. Prior to this season, Dallas fielded one of the league‘s worst defensive units, forcing Prescott into shootout style play just to keep games competitive. It‘s why the young linebacker believes critiquing quarterbacks without acknowledging roster context "is unfair."
"The greatest quarterbacks to play always had a great defense. They‘ve always had a running game. So why are we Dogging out quarterbacks for not winning championships when championships are won by teams?" Parsons asked rhetorically.
In the end, both Newton and Parsons emphasized complete, balanced rosters beating isolated star power when it comes to competing for Lombardi Trophies. It likely explains why Prescott has just two playoff wins four years removed from his major breakthrough despite posting video game numbers on a routine basis. Like Newton, Parsons contends few quarterbacks can fully overcome deficiencies in protection, skill talent or defense over the long haul, no matter their individual brilliance.
Tyreek Hill is the Game‘s Ultimate "Game Changer"
On the flip side from his Purdy comments, Newton heaped praise on Chiefs offseason acquisition Tyreek Hill, deeming the electrifying pass catcher a "game changer" capable of destroying opposing gameplans.
Once again Parsons finds little to dispute with the former MVP‘s assessment. Having lined up against Hill twice a season since entering the league, the Cowboys defender has seen firsthand the headache "Cheetah" causes for opposing coordinators.
"Tyreek Hill is gonna get his respect," Parsons declared. "I don‘t understand how you can leave him out the MVP race right now."
Indeed, Hill‘s peerless quickness, acceleration and change of direction ability renders most defensive gameplans futile. The seventh-year receiver excels at turning routine passes into explosive gains, leading all NFL wideouts this season with 22 receptions of 20-plus yards. His rare open field running prowess also enables Hill to generate massive yards after catch—he compiled the second-most YAC among receivers in 2022.
And Hill‘s game-breaking skillset extends beyond receiving alone. The Cheetah‘s background as a running back and return man manifests through the creative ways Miami deploys him. Lining up out wide, in the slot, backfield and even as a wildcat QB, Hill keeps defenses guessing snap to snap. His versatility and big play upside from anywhere on the field puts him in rarefied air among the game‘s most dangerous offensive weapons.
With Hill taking the Dolphins to the playoffs in his first season since arriving via blockbuster trade, he makes a compelling MVP case regardless of position. If Miami can make an underdog run behind more of his fireworks, expect Hill‘s cause to gain steam just as Newton predicted.
A Right to Fair Commentary
Of course, prominent NFL figures accepting public criticism comes with the territory. Parsons made clear he had no real issue with Newton offering his candid assessment of Dak Prescott‘s playing style. In fact, the outspoken defender echoed Cam in questioning why analysts get "sensitive" about honest player evaluation.
"Cam has played this game at the highest level for over a decade, so he has the right to feel the way he feels and say what he wants," Parsons concluded.
Other current and former pros hold a similar view towards constructive commentary driving discourse. Star tight end George Kittle defended Newton‘s right to critique players days after winning a playoff game started by Brock Purdy. Meanwhile Hall of Famer Warren Sapp asserted Newton "can have whatever opinion he wants" thanks to his stellar career credentials.
It‘s a sentiment Parsons clearly shares from the other side of the player-pundit dynamic. So while he offered rebuttals to Newton‘s specific takes on Prescott and Purdy, Parsons joins peers in celebrating Cam‘s refreshing candor rather than lashing out defensively.
How Defenses Scheme Against Mobile QBs like Purdy
Speaking to rising star signal callers, Parsons hinted at the challenges facing dual-threats like Purdy from a defensive lens. When asked by the YouTube host if mobile quarterbacks provoke specific gameplans compared to pocket passers, the Cowboys star laid out a detailed response.
"You‘ve definitely got to have a spy, sometimes two spies," Parsons explained. "Running quarterbacks put a lot of pressure on your defensive ends and outside linebackers to keep containment. Guys have to stay home in their gaps or that quarterback will eat you up."
Parsons went on to cite Baltimore‘s Lamar Jackson as the archetype scrambler keeping coordinators up at night. While not as explosive a runner as the Ravens MVP, Purdy‘s mobility was on display when San Francisco upset Dallas in the playoffs. The 49ers rookie buy time with his legs to unlock big plays downfield, adding a dimension that could prove critical for their postseason hopes.
Of course, Parsons believes pure arm talent matters most when it comes to quarterback ceiling. He dubbed franchise pocket passers the "perfect prototype" for a reason—unmatched passing range unlocks more of the playbook. But make no mistake, Parsons respects firsthand the immediate upside mobility provides, even as he schemes to stop such dual-threats twice a season.
Purdy‘s Development Trajectory
While praiseful of Purdy‘s poise so far, Parsons stopped short of anointing the 49ers freshman as the next superstar quarterback. However, he does believe Brock has an ideal infrastructure around him to facilitate major development jumps.
"Purdy‘s definitely benefited from playing on a great team," the defender assessed. "But he‘s also shown he can handle big moments, which is huge for a young quarterback."
Indeed, Purdy took over the NFC‘s top seed midseason without missing a beat, going 7-0 as a starter down the stretch. He excelled early leaning on Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel as human cheat codes, making quick reads and efficient throws. But Purdy has flashed increased ability off schedule late in the year, hitting vertical shots after evading the initial rush.
It‘s the exact trajectory Parsons highlighted that could render Purdy a true "game changer" in another season or two.
"I think good defense and smart decisions early on gives young quarterbacks confidence to then take more chances and grow within structure," he explained. "Could definitely see that happening with Purdy if he keeps developing."
Intangibles That Make a Quarterback "Elite"
With so many nuances to playing quarterback at a championship level, Parsons boiled down a few key intangibles he believes separate the great ones. Beyond sheer passing ability, he called consistency amid adversity the common denominator for legends like Brady and Manning.
"Elite quarterbacks have that knack for making everyone around them better and lifting their play when the pressure ramps up late," Parsons noted. "You can‘t really teach that killer instinct."
He went on namecheck several current signal callers who share that battle-tested mentality, including the likes of Dak Prescott and Justin Herbert. Even Purdy hasn‘t shrunk in crunch time this postseason despite his greenhorn status.
But above all, Parsons emphasized leadership and generating trust as what elevates legendary quarterbacks. "It‘s about the entire group buying into a single commander and connecting on more than just a schematic level," he concluded. "That‘s what changes cultures and builds championship mindsets over years."
If Purdy proves capable of galvanizing the Niners franchise for the next decade plus, we could indeed have a special player on our hands rather than merely a game managing placeholder.
The Final Word
If the fiery reactions are any indication, Newton‘s weekly YouTube show figures to remain appointment viewing for fans and players alike as long as the QB icon feels inclined to offer more unfiltered opinions. And with Purdy and the 49ers taking off on a Cinderella postseason run, the "game manager" label continues being put to the test.
Meanwhile Parsons promises to keep providing a unique defensive perspective into the weekly headlines and discourse shaping today‘s NFL landscape. Look for number eleven to continue thriving in his self-described role as the league‘s "lionbacker" in 2023 and beyond.