New Team Tagged In Escalating Robert Quinn Trade Buzz

The NFL trade deadline is less than three weeks away. Around this time, teams have to start having serious discussions about what to do. Some may wish to buy, seeking out a veteran player that might help their playoff push. Others may want to sell, handing out pricey contracts in exchange for extra draft capital in 2023. The Chicago Bears aren’t sure which side they belong to yet. That time is approaching. A win or loss against the Washington Commanders on Thursday Night Football might tip the scales. If GM Ryan Poles decides to sell, one name to watch is Robert Quinn.

The 32-year-old defensive end had arguably the best season of his career in 2021, notching 18 sacks. He’s stayed healthy this year, and most of his guaranteed money is paid. Any team that trades for him would be getting a manageable base salary. It comes down to how much they think they can squeeze out of his fading talent. Bill Barnwell of ESPN believes there will be takers if the Bears make him available.

One team stands out as an obvious choice.

“Rams get: EDGE Robert Quinn
Bears get: 2023 third-round pick, 2024 third-round pick

The Rams miss Von Miller. Aaron Donald is still doing his thing on the interior, but the trio of Terrell Lewis, Justin Hollins and Leonard Floyd have combined for just two sacks and three quarterback knockdowns through five games. We’ve seen Donald make it easier for Miller and Dante Fowler Jr. to impact games on the edge, so it’s really telling that the Rams don’t feel like they have a second solid pass-rusher right now.

Quinn would be this year’s Miller — the veteran No. 1 edge rusher getting a chance to play next to a future Hall of Famer on the interior. The former Defensive Player of the Year only has one sack in five games this season, but he just finished an 18.5-sack season with the Bears. No one else likely to be available to the Rams this fall has a higher ceiling on the edge than Quinn.”

HUGE 3rd down sack for Robert Quinn ????

????: #CHIvsGB on NBC pic.twitter.com/KLadQonavB

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) September 19, 2022

Robert Quinn has a long history with the Rams.

They were the team that drafted him many years ago, in 2011. Returning to the fold in Los Angeles would be a nice little bow on his career. There is no question the Rams need him. Their starting duo of Terrell Lewis and Leonard Floyd have combined for one sack and six QB hits. That is with Aaron Donald still wreaking havoc in the middle. Quinn hasn’t gotten the same interior penetration in Chicago, limiting his opportunities to reach the quarterback.

Undoubtedly, his motor would improve knowing he’d be joining the defending Super Bowl champions. It comes down to whether the Rams would be willing to pay such a price for him. They wouldn’t have to worry about him becoming a free agent as Miller did. He remains under contract for two more years after 2022. Perhaps if the Bears were willing to eat some of that leftover money, the Rams would sweeten the draft compensation.

It isn’t a bad idea. Much of this may come down to how Robert Quinn performs in the three games before the deadline.