"Just devouring guys": Eagles Super Bowl champ opens up on brutal challenge of facing Micah Parsons

Philadelphia Eagles star tackle Lane Johnson revealed the reality of facing Micah Parsons. The Cowboys' defensive force brings a mix of speed, power, and tactical prowess that leaves offensive linemen scrambling for answers.

Johnson, a Super Bowl champion and veteran offensive tackle, has battled the NFL's elite pass rushers throughout his career. His assessment carries weight, especially after facing Micah Parsons twice this season, including the Eagles' recent 41-7 victory over Dallas.

Speaking on Mina Kimes' ESPN YouTube show on January 3, Johnson broke down what makes Parsons so difficult to contain:

"He's one of the very best. There's nobody that can get off the ball like him. You know, he has the attributes, but now it's like his knowledge as far as pass rushing and his moves and his plan of attack is more evolved now. And so, yeah, it's a long day blocking that guy. He's just devouring guys," said Johnson.

The praise lands amid Micah Parsons' fourth consecutive Pro Bowl selection, despite Dallas' challenging 7-9 season. Even with a wrist injury limiting his practice time and a rib shot from Saquon Barkley in their recent matchup, Parsons remains a defensive cornerstone.

Johnson compares Micah Parsons to a legend

NFL: Dallas Cowboys at Carolina Panthers - Source: Imagn

Johnson drew parallels between Parsons and NFL great Von Miller:

"I think people underestimate his power. When you watch a lot of his sacks, he's going through people now too. Kind of like Von Miller, people thought he was a lighter guy, and then you watch the film."

Despite team-wide defensive struggles and key injuries to stars like Trevon Diggs and DeMarvion Overshown, Parsons maintains his competitive fire:

"If you're a great football player, this is who you are; it's not what you do," Parsons stated after the Eagles loss. "You got to appreciate these games, these opportunities that we have."

His resilience shines through recent setbacks. After the Eagles put up 376 yards and 41 points with backup quarterbacks Kenny Pickett and Tanner McKee, Parsons focused on improvement:

"When you lose that turnover battle against the top team in the NFL, that's kind of like the outcome. We didn't play our brand of football today."

Looking ahead, Parsons acknowledges mounting challenges in an improving NFC East. Yet his evolution from pure speed rusher to complete defender, as highlighted by Johnson's assessment, suggests he'll remain a cornerstone of Dallas.