The Chicago Bears hit the reset button this year. It wasn’t what anybody wanted. However, GM Ryan Poles felt it was what needed to be done. The roster was the oldest in the NFL and almost all of their stars were in their 30s. If this organization wanted to become a legitimate contender, they’d have to reconstruct the roster from top to bottom. That is why everything that wasn’t nailed down was shipped out. Khalil Mack, Allen Robinson, Akiem Hicks, James Daniels, and Danny Trevathan were sent packing. A few months later, Robert Quinn joined them.
The former defensive end had one of the wildest stints in Bears history. His first season in 2020 was characterized by two sacks and the belief his career might be finished. Then in 2021, he broke the team’s single-season sack record with 18.5. Then this year, he had an uneventful two months in September and October, leading Poles to trade him to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 4th round pick. Everybody thought the Bears GM had gotten fleeced. According to Zach Berman of The Athletic, the team has some regrets about that move.
“At this point, the Eagles did not get what they expected from Quinn. He didn’t record a sack while playing a reduced role in five games before an injury landed him on injured reserve. The Eagles’ pass rushers have been thriving in his absence, so there hasn’t been much scrutiny on the trade, but the Eagles likely expected more for a fourth-round pick.”
Getting anything for Robert Quinn was a win.
It is obvious the veteran defensive end is no longer what he was a few years ago. What we saw in 2020 was closer to the new reality than in 2021. Quinn is declining. His body is breaking down. Getting a 4th round pick for basically his name value was a victory for Poles. It ensures the Bears go into 2023 with eight draft picks, including five in the first four rounds. If this GM does his job right, he should be able to retool the defensive line with few issues, thanks to his massive array of resources. People will quickly forget about Quinn.
That is a shame. The guy was nothing but class during his time in Chicago. He was an excellent teammate, cordial with the media, and a terrific player when healthy. All one can say is I wish Robert Quinn had come to the Bears a few years earlier than he did. It would’ve been an exciting ride. Here is hoping he can finish his career on a positive note. Philadelphia remains a favorite to win the Super Bowl. His getting a ring would be enough to push him into Hall of Fame conversations.
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Nah I would 100% have traded him last offseason, or this season. Whenever you could get the highest value for him. We weren’t in those calls so we don’t know what he was offered. I love Poles trading all the aging defenders.
But to say “he isn’t the same as he was years ago” when he literally set our franchise sack record LAST YEAR is I’ll informed to say the least.
The only real flop of the Poles Era was NOT flipping Robert Quinn in the off season for something more. A 4th rounder looks like a steal now because Quinn is hurt and didn’t perform… but coming off an 18 sack season I’m sure they could’ve secured a 3rd round pick or more if the Bears ate some salary. Especially since pass rushers are a premium in the NFL.
Roberts a good man and a great player or I guess he was anyway hope he gets a Super Bowl ring
Due to FF I watch a lot of Eagle FB. Quinn was nearly invisible. Except when he tried to speed rush and was ending up 10 yards deeper than the QB. Good job Poles!
Like his first-year in Chicago, I suspect Quin is hurt and playing anyway.