How Commanders' Dan Quinn could reportedly save his job before the trade deadline

Green Bay Packers pass-rusher Micah Parsons is among the noteworthy members of the NFL community who believe that Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn could soon be fired following the Commanders' time-management fiasco that resulted in the club's 27-27 tie against the rival New York Giants on Oct. 11. 

For a piece published on Wednesday, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler addressed the Quinn hot-seat rumors that hovered over the Commanders even before that Week 5 game. 

Will Dan Quinn's players ultimately save him?

"While Commanders owner Josh Harris couldn't have been pleased with the handling of the final seconds, he did not react by firing Quinn, and some people I've talked to believe Quinn will get some time to turn things around, though how much is uncertain," Fowler wrote. "This is a blemish on Quinn's resume that he will have to overcome. How Washington looks coming off the blunder could be a key data point, too. The upcoming schedule features the 49ers, Eagles, Rams, Giants and Bengals. Those are hardly layups. Inspired play from Washington would go a long way in determining whether Quinn galvanized the locker room after Sunday's low point. It also could determine how Washington approaches the Nov. 10 trade deadline."

The 1-3-1 Commanders will next play a "Monday Night Football" game at the 5-0 49ers on Oct. 19. As of Wednesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had Washington as a 7.5-point underdog for that matchup. 

Previous whispers hinted that Quinn could be fired as soon as Washington's Week 7 bye gets underway on the morning of Oct. 20 if the Commanders get blown out by the Niners. Fowler's update would lead one to believe that won't necessarily be the case, but it sounds like the figurative leash on Quinn has been shortened. 

Dan Quinn knows there can't be a repeat of the Giants-Commanders mess

Outsiders may never fully know whether Quinn or Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is more to blame for why Washington became unable to attempt what could have been a game-winning field goal in the closing seconds of the matchup against the Giants. Regardless, Quinn seems to realize he needed to send a message to players and assistant coaches coming off the Week 5 debacle. 

"Quinn plans to improve communication with staff and players to ensure this doesn't happen again," Fowler added. "Quinn and his staff practice game-day situations frequently, and he consults his coaches on situations before each drive and throughout drives. But, clearly, something was missed this time, and Quinn plans to improve, among other things, in-week stress points with his coordinators."