Coming into 2021, pretty much everybody thought Robert Quinn was done as an NFL pass rusher. He was 31-years old and couldn’t seem to stay healthy. After inking a 5-year contract worth $70 million last season, he managed just two sacks. It was a humbling experience. Fans and media alike wondered if the former All-Pro had finally lost what little juice he had left. Several Chicago Bears followers declared him the worst free agent signing in team history.
So when this year began, Quinn was under the microscope. Is that really how he wanted his career to go out? A career that has a chance at Hall of Fame status? Clearly not. After getting himself into top shape and healing any nagging injuries, the edge rusher sent a message from the start that things were going to be different this year. Opposing quarterbacks are the ones paying for it. Through 11 games, Quinn has 11 sacks. He has truly been almost unblockable most of the season.
NFL.com has taken notice, ranking him their 6th-best pass disruptor in the league.
“After posting just 2.0 sacks in his first season with the Bears last year, Quinn has played well in 2021, especially in the last few weeks, stepping up in the absence of Khalil Mack. On the season, Quinn has registered 34 QB pressures and has been getting home often.
His sack rate of 4.7 percent is the fourth-highest for a player in a single season in the Next Gen Stats era (among those with a minimum of 150 pass rushes), and he’s been especially good at delivering in key moments — Quinn’s sack rate of 9 percent on third down is the best in the NFL.
With a top-10 pressure percentage and 10 sacks, Quinn has compiled an impressive pass-rushing résumé, to go along with 23 stops and six stuffs.”
Quinn deserves all of the credit in the world. He overcame the worst season of his career and is following it with arguably his best despite being at an age where most believe NFL players have long since lost a step. The fact he is doing it despite suspect coverage from the secondary and Khalil Mack now being out only makes it more impressive. It is only a shame this great comeback story is marred by a down season from the Bears.
Moving forward, he does have a milestone to shoot for.
The Bears’ single-season sack record sits at 17.5. A mark set by the great Richard Dent back in 1984. With six games left to play, Quinn is within striking distance. It won’t be easy as he’ll have some QBs coming up that are notoriously hard to sack like Kyler Murray and Aaron Rodgers. Either way, this is a welcome storyline in an otherwise frustrating season.
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Robert Quinn may help ease incoming transition year
There is no question that the Bears defense isn’t what it was a couple of years ago. They’ve gotten old in some key spots and also lost some talent due to salary cap issues. Odds are good more changes are coming. This is why Quinn playing this way offers a sliver of hope. If he has another such season in him in 2022, it might help ease the transition to come with Akiem Hicks possibly being one of the next notable names to leave. He and Mack can still form a lethal pass rush tandem.
That would allow the organization to work on their beleaguered secondary. Much of it may depend on what happens with the next coaching staff and whether they know how to utilize Robert Quinn effectively. Not to mention if his body can withstand these long seasons. Either way, what he has done should be appreciated. One can only hope it continues to last as this team works to figure out its issues.
