In a light-hearted moment, former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, now the head coach of the Washington Commanders, humorously suggested that he would bench defensive superstar Micah Parsons for the upcoming week. This quip comes from a deep understanding of Parsons, who thrived under Quinn’s guidance during his first three seasons.

Parsons, a two-time first-team All-Pro and the 2021 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, has consistently been recognized as one of the NFL's premier defenders, finishing second and third in Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2022 and 2023. Quinn knows all too well the impact Parsons has on the field.

When asked how to handle a player of Parsons' caliber, Quinn’s joking reply, "I’d sit him this week on a short week," quickly shifted to serious coaching strategy. He emphasized the necessity of knowing where Parsons is positioned before every snap to mitigate his game-changing potential.

Quinn elaborated, stating, "If you have a vulnerability in a spot, make sure it's fortified to counter his strengths. You must have a plan; don’t leave anything to chance." He acknowledged that while teams like Green Bay present multiple threats, successfully shutting down a standout player like Parsons requires careful strategic balance.

On top of that, despite playing only 45% of the defensive snaps in Week 1, Parsons still managed to pressure Lions quarterback Jared Goff and recorded a sack. As the Packers prepare to face their old rival this Thursday night, it remains to be seen if they will increase Parsons' playing time and how effectively they can neutralize his influence on the game.