The biggest change for the Chicago Bears (outside of the acquisition of Nick Foles) was the change at outside linebacker. Leonard Floyd was released and Robert Quinn was signed to a huge money contract. Not something I would have done, but dead brain Ryan Pace sees the world differently. The good news is Quinn doesn’t have to be good and he knows it.
Quinn just wants to be the “icing on the cake” for the Bears. He’s not wrong. This defense is already really good so just playing up to his role is a good thing:
“They already have the talent there,” Quinn said, via NBCSportsChicago.com. “I’m just trying to bring the icing on the cake. I believe in my talents. I know what I bring to the table and again I know what they had there already. I think with that formula, we can do something special this year.”
This defense is already filled with star power. Khalil Mack, Akiem Hicks, Roquan Smith, and Eddie Jackson are all superstars, in my opinion. If Quinn actually pops (which is a question mark but possible) the Bears defense could take another step forward. Floyd had 11.5 sacks over the last 3 years. Quinn had that number by itself just last year in Dallas.
Quinn, 30, signed a 5-year, $70 million contract this offseason. That’s a price tag too rich for my blood. I love Robert Quinn but he’s a player that has been much better when he plays for a contender or has real motivation to cash in. Quinn has more single digit sack seasons than double digit. He hasn’t always been a game wrecking edge rusher.
