The Chicago Bears traded Khalil Mack a few months ago, signaling their intent to rebuild under new GM Ryan Poles. Some started to wonder if Robert Quinn would see the same fate. It made sense from a business standpoint. He’s 32-years-old, carries an expensive contract, and has high value coming off his 18 sacks in 2021. Months have passed since then with no development on that front. Most people assumed the Bears were content with keeping the veteran as an anchor to their defensive line.
That may soon change. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network revealed that Quinn will not attention Bears mandatory minicamps this week. It is the first real indication that his absence from the team is becoming a holdout. Rumors have persisted for months that Quinn may want out of Chicago. While he loves the city and organization, he likely isn’t interested in being part of a rebuild at his age. He’d much rather join a contender and chase that Super Bowl ring that has eluded him for a decade.
Sources: #Bears star pass-rusher Robert Quinn is not expected to be present for the team’s mandatory minicamp that begins today. Quinn is away from the team training on his own.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 14, 2022
Bears have leverage with Robert Quinn on this issue.
Though he is free to hold out from practicing, the team doesn’t have to feel any pressure to immediately cave. They have him under contract for another three years and thanks to Poles’ moves earlier this offseason, they aren’t hurting for cap space either. Other teams that may have interest in dealing for the star pass rusher will likely try to lowball the Bears after hearing about the holdout. The new GM has zero reasons to comply. He’s free to hold firm until he gets an offer he thinks is fair.
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Robert Quinn could end up arriving at training camp. His holdout might be a decision by him to avoid Matt Eberflus’ new high-intensity practices as long as possible. He’s been around the league for a long time and likely isn’t looking forward to it. So he’ll take the fines for missing minicamps and wait until July before joining the team. If he decides to carry this standoff further, the Bears are free to let him sit at home until a trade offer comes around they are happy with.
