First and foremost, let’s point out that no one should question or take any issue with Micah Parsons opting out of this past season. He’s got tens of millions of dollars waiting for him as a top 10 NFL draft pick, and with all the COVID uncertainty that surrounded the 2020 season, he was certainly within his right to make any decision he felt best for himself and his future.
Having said that …
Why did Parsons opt out? And what does the timing of when he did it say about his reasoning?
James Franklin tried to shed some light on it during an appearance Friday with Kim Jones on the NFL Network. Franklin had this to say about Parsons:
“First let me say this because I think it’s important to understand Micah. Micah would not have opted out last year if the Big Ten had not canceled the season. Micah loves football, had a great Penn State experience, graduated in three years from obviously a highly respected academic institution. … Really proud of him, and I think he’s got a chance to be a difference maker at the linebacker position.”
My interview with James Franklin. On @MicahhParsons11, @JaysonOweh, @pat_fry5 & the Franklin family challenges during this past year. @nflnetwork @coachjfranklin #WeAre
p.s. see you March 25, JF! 😂😂🏈🏈👍👍 pic.twitter.com/KddlHHzeOQ— Kim Jones (@KimJonesSports) February 19, 2021
The problem with what Franklin said is that