Chiefs Rumors: 2021 Sack Leader Coming To KC?
Rumors are swirling that a former All-Pro Edge Rusher could be on the move soon, with the Chiefs labeled as a top team to watch. Should the Chiefs pounce on the opportunity?
As the NFL offseason is coming to an end, trade rumors had seemingly begun dying down. That was until Baker Mayfield was traded earlier this week, and now there are rumors that Bears edge rusher Robert Quinn could be on the move soon.
The Chiefs are listed as one of the top teams to watch. Quinn recorded 18.5 sacks last season, and that was as the primary edge rusher after Khalil Mack missed most of the season to injury.
Should the Chiefs jump at the chance to land Quinn? Would the Bears even be willing to trade Quinn after already trading Khalil Mack? What would the compensation have to be for it to make sense? Well, let’s make sense of the recent rumors.
With Five Defensive Ends, Do The Chiefs Need Robert Quinn?
It could be argued the Chiefs have one of the weakest edge groups in the NFL. It might even be the very worst. Frank Clark has been disappointing since he arrived in Kansas City, and his production has only gone down each year. There are high hopes for rookie George Karlaftis, but as always we have to temper expectations until we see him on the field on Sundays. Mike Danna has been a solid role player for the Chiefs but after that? Well, it isn’t pretty.
The need is certainly there for the Chiefs, and Quinn would make an immediate impact. Not only that, but he would be a great addition to the development of Karlaftis. Quinn is on the older side at 32 years old, but Melvin Ingram was the same age when the Chiefs traded for him last season. However, Quinn is simply a better overall player than Ingram, and he’s on a very manageable three-year contract. So, all that being said, why would the Bears want to trade away Robert Quinn?
Would The Bears Trade Robert Quinn To The Chiefs?
The simple answer is that every team has its price, and no player is truly untouchable outside of franchise QBs. However, there are strong arguments for why the Bears shouldn’t trade Quinn. As previously mentioned, the Bears already traded Khalil Mack to the Chargers this offseason and trading Quinn would leave them thin on the edge rushers. New Bears head coach, Matt Eberflus, probably isn’t a fan of trading Quinn either. He’s a defensive-minded coach in his first year and Quinn will make his first year a lot smoother. Quinn himself even said he doubts a trade is on the horizon.
With all that considered, there are also good arguments for why the Bears should trade Robert Quinn. The most important is that Quinn doesn’t fit the timeline. The Bears are likely nowhere near making a Super Bowl run, and it’s unlikely Quinn is still a productive player by the time they are contenders. His trade value will never be higher. The Bears would also clear cap space, not just this year, but the next three years, which could be used to help build around Justin Fields. Lastly, if the Bears are bad it just means a better draft pick in what seems to be a stacked draft class.
Overall, there are good arguments from both sides. The Bears will have to fully weigh their options and decide what is most important to them. Then they have to find a trade package that makes sense. So, what is Quinn worth on the trade block?
What Would It Take For The Chiefs To Acquire Quinn In A Trade?
The Bears traded Khalil Mack for a second and sixth-round pick. Realistically, the Bears can’t expect to get the same return for Quinn. Despite having a sensational season tallying 18.5 sacks in 2021, in 2020 Quinn only managed 2 sacks in 15 games played. Quinn has had a solid career overall, but teams will play up the inconsistency in trade talks.
Also, Quinn is 32 years old and will be making close to 40 million dollars over the next three seasons. This means teams will be cautious in their long-term expectations of Quinn. He’s likely a win-now addition. If the Bears do want to trade Quinn, it’s in their best interest to create a bidding war amongst the top teams in the NFL.
At most I would expect Quinn’s value to be around a third or fourth-round pick. Perhaps even a conditional fourth or fifth-round pick based on production or playtime. The Chiefs conveniently have two of each third and fourth-round picks in 2023. If I’m Brett Veach I’m getting Robert Quinn in Kansas City as soon as possible. Quinn would be the cherry on top of an incredible offseason by the Chiefs’ front office.
Should the Chiefs pursue Robert Quinn? Leave a comment down below to join the discussion.
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