The Bears are picking up most of Robert Quinn‘s 2022 salary, agreeing to pay $7.1MM and leaving the Eagles responsible for less than $700K. Although Quinn’s Chicago contract ran through 2024, he and his new team agreed to change that.
Quinn and the Eagles agreed to trim both future years off the deal, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). Quinn is now ticketed for free agency in 2023. Both of Quinn’s final two seasons on this contract — a five-year, $70MM accord agreed to in 2020 — were nonguaranteed.
Previously, Quinn’s deal carried base salaries of $13.9MM in 2023 and $12.9MM in 2024. Instead, this shifts to a contract year for the now-thrice-traded pass rusher. Quinn, 32, has only been a free agent once — in 2020 — and he used that opportunity to land $30MM guaranteed from the Bears. The former Rams first-rounder has sandwiched two shaky seasons with a monster 2021 campaign, one that undoubtedly enticed the Eagles to send the Bears a fourth-round pick. Quinn registered just two sacks in 2020 and has just one through seven Chicago games this season. He set a Bears single-season record with 18.5 last season.
This restructure follows a similar one in Cleveland. The Browns acquired Deion Jones‘ through-2023 contract from the Falcons earlier this month, but the parties agreed to lop off the 2023 season from the deal. Like Quinn, Jones is no longer under contract beyond this season. These arrangements will raise the stakes for the two relocating veterans, though both players loomed as potential cap casualties anyway. These restructures will prevent each team from prolonging a separation. Select players receive this treatment annually. The Giants did so with James Bradberry this year, with a May release leading to an Eagles landing.
The Eagles have exclusive negotiating rights with Quinn until next year’s legal tampering period, a two-day window preceding free agency, but it remains to be seen if they will make this partnership more than a rental agreement. While extensions, cap casualties and possible franchise tags will change the equation, next year’s edge rusher market will feature a mix of players seeking a second contract and various veterans.
It seems unlikely Bradley Chubb will be able to hit free agency. Chubb, a current trade candidate, would stand to be the prize next year. Marcus Davenport is also on track to hit the market after a fifth-year option season. Yannick Ngakoue profiles as another young-ish target, as he will only turn 28 in 2023. 49ers backup Charles Omenihu is also due for free agency. Quinn would join a few other vets — Jadeveon Clowney, Justin Houston, Melvin Ingram and Dante Fowler among them — in the older wing of the market.
Philadelphia has Josh Sweat and Haason Reddick in place as its long-term defensive end duo. Brandon Graham, 34, is signed through 2023. The longtime Eagle wants to continue his career past 2022. It will be interesting how the Eagles proceed with Graham and Quinn. For now, both 30-something vets are in place as rotational rushers for the 6-0 team. Nick Sirianni said Friday (via the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane, on Twitter) that Quinn will likely make his Eagles debut in Week 8, likely in a limited capacity.
I don’t understand why now?? it could have been during the offseason.. they could of flipped him! doesn’t make much sense right now
Because his salary is so high, that no team is going to trade anything for that in the off-season and he’d 99% be cut because his money is unguaranteed. He’d be in a James Bradberry/Giants’ situation where everyone would wait until the Eagles cut him. This helps Quinn because he’ll be able to negotiate a contract in the tampering period and get more money as a f/a. It helps the Eagles by getting them a potential compensatory pick for losing a Free Agent.
Exactly right. Sometimes people just don’t make sense
It’s kinda a win win.
Quinn now in is in the final year of his deal and has a limited amount of games to really showcase his skill in hope to get a good deal. For the eagles they were most likely going to cut him after the year anyways with his 2 non guaranteed years left.
Now they have Quinn who will be going out there giving 110% not only because he wants to win but because he needs to show what he’s got left in the tank.
Quinn will get added to the comp pick formula if he signs elsewhere as a FA this off-season.