Chicago Bears: Quinn Hopes to Remain a Bear After the Draft

Chicago Bears linebacker Robert Quinn hopes to remain on the team after the 2022 NFL Draft despite a high probability that he’ll be traded.

As we know from the actions of Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles that the team is in full rebuild mode. Poles came in and started tearing things down so he could start fresh (next year).

The team shipped out a lot of veterans this offseason. Players like Khalil Mack, Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman, and Tarik Cohen, just to name a few, are gone.

One veteran who might feel a little lonely is linebacker Robert Quinn. Despite all of the teardown going on around him, he still finds himself on the team. That’s fine by him, though.

Quinn’s start in Chicago was a rough one. He played with an injured foot and only recorded two sacks all season in 2020. In 2021, however, he had a remarkable comeback. He recorded 18.5 sacks, breaking the all-time record set by Hall of Famer Richard Dent.

Quinn hopes to stay in Chicago after this weekend’s NFL draft.

Hopefully, my résumé or my production from last year gives me a little weight to keep my foot in the building. [But] it’s a business. You see Khalil Mack getting traded. I didn’t expect to go anywhere, or want to go anywhere, but this is a crazy business.

Staying in Chicago might be a problem for Quinn seeing that the Bears need draft picks and other teams want to have his services.

Interesting. Robert Quinn was in Chicago today meeting the new staff and spending time with #Bears coach Matt Eberflus. But teams are sniffing around on him for a possible trade. One of several veteran names being discussed. https://t.co/pXvlZlr1oF

• Ep 38: Tyreek Hill Traded To The Dolphins
  by Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2022 at 12:10 am

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 26, 2022

Poles indicated in his pre-draft press conference that the Bears aren’t shopping Quinn. One thing you have to know about the week of any draft is that you cannot trust anything any team official says until after the draft. Poles could just be trying to raise the price for a trade.

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The Bears will likely trade down with one or both of their second round picks (or with some of their other picks). Trading Quinn, however, could bring more picks. Teams need a good pass rusher and Quinn isn’t really going to be a part of the team’s rebuild. Poles definitely has to think about a trade when his value is so high at the moment.

Keeping Quinn has its positives

Of course, with all the change and having new and young players coming in, Quinn could be a perfect leader in the locker room for the Bears. He is the ultimate professional and could do wonders for team morale. This looks to be another tough season and Quinn could provide stability.

Additionally, the Bears are moving to a 4-3 defensive scheme. This is Quinn’s natural position. He usually struggles in a 3-4 and doesn’t really like it. After having a huge season in the old scheme, going back to where he feels natural should provide Quinn with another good season.

It’ll be interesting to see what Poles and the Bears do once the draft begins. Will they keep Quinn or will they trade him? If they keep him, they risk the chance that age catches up to him and he struggles. That means they miss out on the haul they wanted if they traded him and have a struggling player.

Despite his desire to stay, the odds are long on Quinn remaining in Chicago.