[jwplayer oCIigLR6-ThvAeFxT]
Robert Quinn’s first play as a Chicago Bear was a memorable one — recording a strip-sack of New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones. But everything since then has been underwhelming.
Which normally wouldn’t be a problem considering how he’s been an overall asset for this defense. But the Bears inked him to a five-year, $70 million contract that demands more. It demands the 11.5 sack performance he had last season, not the single sack he notched eight weeks ago.
And the Bears coaches will be the first to admit it.
“I think with a player like Robert, we got to evaluate him based on the numbers,” Bears outside linebackers coach Ted Monachino said. “And right now, his numbers aren’t where he wants them, I want them or any of us in the city wants them.”
Quinn was brought in to take advantage of one-on-one opportunities opposite star Khalil Mack, who demands double teams. But it hasn’t exactly worked out that way. There have been a lot of missed opportunities left on the field for Quinn, and his coaches know it.
“You’d like to think, and I know Robert would like to think, that anytime he’s singled is an opportunity,” Monachino said. “He’s had plenty and hasn’t been able to finish on some of the snaps that he could have. I will tell you this, the opponents that we play understand that we have two guys who are elite. They do everything they can to protect their quarterback. We, as a staff, got to figure out ways to beat those protections. As a player, and as a position coach, we’ve got to figure out ways to beat that individual protector. I think Robert has a real good idea and real good plan going into every week. He has missed some opportunities.
“He has to make a play. There’s no 28-point plays in football. You eat an elephant one bite at a time. He needs to start taking bites.”
When the Bears signed Quinn to a five-year, $70 million deal this offseason, everyone believed they were getting a clear upgrade over former first-round pick Leonard Floyd, who they released back in May.
But that same Leonard Floyd was just named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his three-sack performance as a member of the Los Angeles Rams, which is enough to make you wonder if general manager Ryan Pace is already regretting the move.
For what it’s worth, Floyd’s production had dipped over the last three seasons with Chicago, where he had a career-low three sacks with the Bears just last season. But in nine games with the Rams, Floyd already has a career-high seven sacks.
The Bears parted ways with Floyd because they couldn’t justify paying him $13.22 million. But it’s hard to justify shelling out $70 million for a pass rusher with one sack in nine games this season.
[listicle id=462519]
