By trading Khalil Mack, cutting Danny Trevathan and not re-signing Akiem Hicks, the Bears have dismantled much of their front-seven core this offseason. That has made Robert Quinn‘s name jump out.
Even as the Bears go through a rebuild, Quinn does not want to be traded, via ESPN.com’s Courtney Cronin. That said, teams are looking into the veteran edge rusher, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Three years remain on Quinn’s five-year, $70MM contract.
Quinn, 32 in May, makes sense as a trade candidate, given Chicago’s recent moves and his strong 2021 season. Quinn’s second Bears slate ended with him breaking Richard Dent‘s single-season sack record, with 18.5. This, however, came after a two-sack 2020. Quinn’s bounce-back season in Dallas, in 2019, led to Chicago shelling out big money for him. But the Bears have since shed most of their veteran contracts on defense; Quinn is attached to a team-high $17.1MM cap number.
A team acquiring Quinn in a trade would have him on a $12.8MM base salary; the guarantees in his contract have been paid out. The Bears would be on the hook for his prorated signing bonus. A draft-weekend trade would tag the Bears with $12MM-plus in dead money.
New GM Ryan Poles said in late March no Quinn trade scenario had surfaced, but if the right offer came for the 11-year veteran, it would certainly make sense for the rebooting Bears to consider it.
The chances of remaining part of a rebuilding team at age 32 aren’t great at the best of times. I would expect a contender to acquire Quinn from the Bears before long.
As a Lions fan, I would love to see him out of the NFC North.
The Bears need draft picks this year but he might have more value at the trade deadline. If Poles gets a bidding war going, he might pull the trigger now.
The question is which Robert Quinn are you getting? The one that was electric last year, or the one before where he didn’t show up for most year, or the one before that in Dallas where he balled out in a contract year, or the years before where he was mediocre and led to the Rams cutting him. Point being I’d be iffy about giving up much for a 32 year old with incredibly inconsistent play.
Wonder which Bears employee was compelled to ” Leak” that little tidbit.
Being a healthy cynic myself, I would suggest that about 75% of the rumor news we’ve read here this past month was conveniently leaked in anticipation of the upcoming draft.
It’s a decent sized contract for an aging player. I’d like for us to trade him because we need draft capital. Maybe we can get a 3rd round pick in 2022 and a 6th for 2023, but I don’t see much more. Frankly, I’d be fine with that too. We need players who are going to make a difference past next year and I don’t see Quinn being that guy.
Eberflus’s Colts D only had 33 sacks last year…I’m sure he’s happy to have a Quinn at DE. Quinn’s trade value will be at it’s highest at the trade deadline if he repeats what he did last season. No reason to move him now unless it allows you to move up into the 1st round.