Micah Parsons casts doubt on Jalen Hurts' MVP candidacy: 'Is it Hurts or the team?'

Joe Rivera

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Micah Parsons casts doubt on Jalen Hurts' MVP candidacy: 'Is it Hurts or the team?' image

No holiday cheer from Micah Parsons.

However you slice it, Jalen Hurts has taken a massive step forward in 2022, to the point that there's legitimate MVP chatter surrounding the Eagles passer. Hurts has thrown 22 touchdowns to just three interceptions and is one of the highest-graded passers in the league, per PFF (his 83.7 passing grade ranks fifth overall).

Well, that chatter is just empty words according to Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons.

Appearing on Von Miller's "VonCast," Parsons explained that Hurts' unreal success is a simply byproduct of "system and team," seemingly discrediting the passer for his season. 

MORE: Why Jalen Hurts fell to the Eagles in the 2020 draft

"Is it Hurts or the team?" Parsons posited to Miller, before answering his own question. "It's system and team …

"I'm not trying to make no enemies. I just love the game so much and I understand it so much that I can't — when things are off, I can't hold it in. I gotta say something."

While Miller go back and forth discussing the importance of weapons and scheme, it's unfair to critique a quarterback for utilizing the weapons at his disposal while giving others — Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, et al — a pass for the same reason. The marriage of system, skill position talent and QB is pretty much how every successful quarterback operates.

Parsons' comments seemed to draw the attention of Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson, who will lineup opposite Parsons in a few weeks.

Eagles left tackle Jordan Mailata also took issue with Parsons' response, and he did not mince words.

"I'm going to worry about the Chicago Bears this week, mate, worry about this game," he said, per ESPN. "Micah should worry about his game this week, too. I don't know who the f--- they're playing, pardon my language. Just worry about who you got this week."

The Cowboys and Eagles square off on Christmas eve (Week 16), so these words may come back to haunt Parsons like the Ghost of Christmases Yet to Come. 

Joe Rivera

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Joe Rivera is in his seventh year with The Sporting News, handling NFL, MLB and some things pro wrestling. A proud-ish Rutgers University graduate, Rivera combines a new-school flair with an old-school soul. He loves dingers, wrestling, comic books, movies, music and really bad puns. He is also a card-carrying BBWAA member and teaches Multimedia Sports Reporting at his alma mater.

You can find him and tweet him @JoeRiveraSN, if you're into that sort of thing.