There hasn’t been a Micah Parsons without Dan Quinn in Dallas, but as the former defensive coordinator leaps to coach the Commanders, Cowboys fans are about to see what that looks like. After joining the team as a first-round draft pick, Parsons quickly became the star in Quinn’s offense, but he knew it wouldn’t last forever.

The former Assistant Coach of the Year reportedly took the Washington job and told his players on Thursday, so the news is fresh, but Parsons is happy to see his coach move on to bigger things. He opened up about it at the Pro Bowl in Orlando on Friday.

“Super happy for him, not because he went to a rival, but just because he was like a big uncle to me,” Parsons said, via Cameron Wolfe. “I know how much this means to him and I know it was a step he wanted to take [becoming a head coach again]. He stayed with me as long as he could, but I know any team out there is lucky to have him.”

On top of singing his praises, Parsons also begged the players in D.C. to cherish Quinn, telling them “no one” will love them like their new head coach.

“They’re getting a real upstanding, outstanding guy, man. I hope those players buy-in and play extremely hard for him, and understand that ain’t no one going to love them and care more about them than Dan Quinn. Man, please appreciate his presence, appreciate his greatness and take care of my guy.”

Quinn leaves Dallas after three seasons

In three years playing under Quinn, Parsons has dominated opposing offenses. He finished the 2023 season as the league leader in quarterback pressures (102), pass rush win rate (37.6%), and quarterback pressure rate (22.4%). Parsons coupled that with a new career high in sacks (14), with 64 total tackles, 36 solo, two passes defended, and one forced fumble and recovery. He’s one of five players up for the AP Defensive Player of the Year, two years after winning Rookie Defensive Player of the Year in 2021.

While defensive coordinator of the Cowboys, Quinn boasted top-10 defenses in each of his three seasons. He also had the top unit for takeaways during the 2022 season and coached DaRon Bland to a historic season with an NFL record of five pick-sixes.

Dallas head coach Mike McCarthy is now on the hunt for his third defensive coordinator in five seasons. On Thursday afternoon, star cornerback Trevon Diggs took to social media to publicly request his position coach, Al Harris, as the team’s next defensive coordinator.