A few days before the NFL trade deadline, the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles added another piece to their improving defense in Robert Quinn.
Back in late July, Chicago Bears’ defensive end Robert Quinn dispelled some theories that he wanted out and wanted to be traded. “Yes, I want to be here,” he explained (via Alex Shapiro of NBC Sports Chicago). “But I understand this is a business and anything can happen.”
Anything happened on Wednesday afternoon as the 12-year veteran was dealt to the Philadelphia Eagles for a fourth-round draft choice. So how did both the Birds and the Bears make out on his trade? Here are two extremely early grades.
Philadelphia Eagles trade grades: Team acquires Robert Quinn
It would be cliché to say the rich continue to get richer. But give credit to Philadelphia general manager Howie Roseman.
In the last two years, he hired Nick Sirianni as head coach, used a first-round pick on wide receiver Devonta Smith, dealt for former Titans’ Pro Bowl wideout A.J. Brown, added some youth to the defensive line with Jordan Davis and signed red-hot pass-rusher Hasson Reddick, late of the Panthers.
Now the NFC East leaders and the NFL’s only 6-0 team this season brings on a proven pass-rusher in Quinn, who racked up 18.5 sacks in 2021.
Grade: A-
Chicago Bears trade grades: Team sends Robert Quinn out
This offseason, the club sent star defender Khalil Mack to the Chargers. Veteran end Akiem Hicks wound up signing with the Buccaneers. New general manager Ryan Poles signed end Al-Quadin Muhammad (Bears) and interior presence Justin Jones (Chargers) to aid new head coach Matt Eberflus.
The Bears also added three defensive backs and another defensive end in April’s draft. While the defense has struggled to stop the run. Chicago has racked up a dozen sacks and 12 takeaways in a 3-4 start. Now the team has an extra fourth-round pick to perhaps bolster this unit.
Grade: B+
It’s obviously way too early to put a real grade on this move, particularly when it comes to the Bears. Who knows what a fourth-round pick could produce when it’s all said and done? But the Eagles’ defense has gotten better as 2022 has unfolded. And teaming Quinn with Reddick, Fletcher Cox and more makes for a dangerous front.