Washington Commanders HC Dan Quinn Jokes About Facing Micah Parsons: “I’d Sit Him This Week”
When preparing for a player of Micah Parsons’ caliber, most coaches speak in terms of strategy and scheme. Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn, who knows Parsons better than almost anyone, opted for a mix of humor and respect. His comments ahead of the Thursday night matchup against the Green Bay Packers reveal a deep understanding of the challenge his former player presents.
Asked how he would handle a player like Parsons, Quinn, who was the defensive coordinator in Dallas during Parsons’ rise to stardom, joked, “Are you asking what would I do if I were coaching him? I’d sit him this week. Yeah, short week.” While delivered with a laugh, the remark underscores a serious truth: the only surefire way to stop Micah Parsons is to keep him off the field. Quinn’s familiarity with the All-Pro pass rusher provides a unique and challenging dynamic for the Commanders’ game plan.
The Ultimate Sign of Respect
Beyond the humor, Dan Quinn provided a detailed breakdown of what makes players like Parsons so difficult to contain. He acknowledged that the focus cannot be solely on one individual, especially on a defense as talented as Green Bay’s.
“Like Micah and other great players, you want to know where they are to how to go play,” Quinn stated. He emphasized the need to identify potential vulnerabilities and fortify them, rather than leaving things to chance. Quinn understands that committing too many resources to Parsons creates one-on-one opportunities for other formidable players on the Packers’ defensive line. It’s a strategic dilemma that forces impossible choices upon an offensive line and a quarterback. This “pick your poison” scenario is exactly the kind of disruption Parsons creates, and his former coach knows it all too well.
A Dominant History and an Impressive Debut
Micah Parsons’ history against the Washington Commanders adds significant weight to Quinn’s concerns. During his time in the NFC East, Parsons consistently delivered some of his best performances against Washington. In eight career games, he has amassed 10.5 sacks, 15 quarterback hits, and nine tackles for loss—more than he has against any other opponent.
This track record of dominance is now Green Bay’s weapon. In his Week 1 debut as a Packer, Parsons was on a limited snap count, playing just 29 snaps (44.6%) against the Detroit Lions while nursing a back injury. Despite the limited action, his impact was immediate and decisive. He recorded a sack and three quarterback pressures, demonstrating that he doesn’t need a full workload to alter the course of a game. His ability to generate pressure on his very first snap in a Packers uniform sent a clear message to the rest of the league.
The Challenge for Washington’s Offense
The Commanders’ offensive line, particularly rookie right tackle Josh Conerly Jr., will face an immense test. Quarterback Jayden Daniels, who was sacked 4.5 times by Parsons in 2024, is acutely aware of the threat. “You don’t let game-wreckers wreck the game,” Daniels said. “You’ve got to keep an eye on him. He got paid a lot of money for a reason.”
Quinn’s experience coaching Parsons gives him unique insight, but it doesn’t provide an easy solution. He knows Parsons’ tendencies, strengths, and how he can be moved across the formation to exploit matchups. However, knowing what’s coming and being able to stop it are two different things. The Commanders’ ability to identify Parsons’ location on every snap and execute a plan to neutralize his impact will be the most critical factor in their offensive success on Thursday night. As Quinn himself noted, the best teams have multiple threats, and his former protégé is the most dangerous one on the field.
