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In a relatively unsurprising move, the 3-4 Chicago Bears have traded veteran pass rusher Robert Quinn to the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles (6-0). Quinn, who has never been part of a playoff-winning team, will now get a chance to play for a contender.
As first reported by NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo, the Bears will get a future fourth-round pick in exchange for the 32-year-old defender. Chicago will also eat the majority of the veteran’s hefty salary. More on that later.
In his 12 years in the NFL, Quinn has experienced just one winning season, so on some level, he may be excited to join a playoff-bound franchise — although his teammates will surely be sad to see him go.
Bears two-time All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith was speaking to the media when he learned Quinn had been traded, and he was visibly shaken by the news. “That sucks,” was all the 25-year-old linebacker could muster before excusing himself from the podium.
Roquan Smith Has Emotional Reaction to Robert Quinn Trade News
Quinn spent his last three seasons in Chicago, where he played alongside Smith. It’s clear based on Smith’s emotional reaction that Quinn’s presence was a formidable one in the Bears’ locker room. Quinn was voted one of the team’s four captains, but general manager Ryan Poles and the new regime are in the throes of a rebuild, and getting rid of older players with hefty contracts has been part of Poles’ agenda from the get-go.
In 2022, Quinn’s cap hit is $17.13 million, and he is set to have cap hits of $18.2 million in 2023 and $17.23 million in 2024, per Over the Cap. It has not yet been revealed exactly how much of that the Bears will be paying, but it’s safe to assume it’s most of it.
The three-time Pro Bowl defensive end has played in 163 career games (142 starts) and has amassed 32 forced fumbles, 176 QB hits, 109 tackles-for-loss and 102 sacks.
Quinn’s Exit Opens Doors for Young Bears D-Linemen Like Trevis Gipson & Dominique Robinson
With Quinn officially out of the picture, Trevis Gipson and Dominique Robinson should be getting more opportunities, which will give the Bears a better idea about what they have in each of them.
Gipson, a third round selection out of Tulsa in 2020, was a product of the former regime, and he may not be held in the same regard as Robinson, a fifth-round pick out of Miami (OH) that Poles and company selected this year.
Gipson has played 112 pass rush snaps this season, and he has tallied 16 total pressures, four QB hits, 10 hurries and 2.0 sacks, per PFF, earning a 66.1 pass rush grade. His snaps will surely increase effective immediately, as will Robinson’s.
The rookie edge rusher has been on the field for 92 pass rush snaps, and has accumulated five pressures, two hurries and 3.0 sacks, also tipping a pass that turned into an interception for Smith in the team’s Week 7 win over the New England Patriots. He has a pass rush grade of 64.0 from PFF so far through seven games.
Quinn was beloved in the locker room and a favorite among fans and analysts alike. He’ll be missed, but the silver lining may reside in Chicago’s young pass rushers now getting more opportunities to learn and grow.
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