The Chicago Bears kicked off mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, where star pass rusher Robert Quinn isn’t expected to attend, per Ian Rapoport.
There have been rumblings about a potential Quinn trade dating back to the NFL Combine, where the Bears made it clear that they had no intention of trading their star pass rusher. But that doesn’t mean things won’t change down the line, which brings us to the present.
The Bears already traded another star pass rusher in Khalil Mack to the Los Angeles Chargers ahead of free agency. They got a second and sixth-round pick for Mack, as well as cleared some substantial salary cap space for the 2023 season.
Considering Quinn isn’t owed any more guaranteed money, isn’t a part of the team’s long-term plans and deserves to play for a contender, a trade certainly makes sense.
As you can imagine, Bears fans have quite the reaction to the news that Quinn won’t be attending mandatory minicamp. And the overwhelming consensus is that they want Chicago to trade Quinn, especially when his trade value is at its highest coming off a franchise single-season record of 18.5 sacks.
Here’s are Bears fans are reacting to Quinn’s no-show, where they’re already looking to the future, much like their new general manager Ryan Poles has been doing this offseason.
Robert Quinn should be on a contending team >>>> rebuilding team.
KC, Dallas, Buffalo, Tennessee, Cinci, TB, LAR https://t.co/W5jGbhPE0m
— Nick Whalen (@_NickWhalen) June 14, 2022
This could mean nothing from Quinn, but it would make sense for both sides to make a trade happen. #Bears get additional draft capital for an aging player in a rebuild and would clear a significant chunk of cap space for next year and open up snaps for younger players this year https://t.co/rburavItW6
— Andrew Freeman (@AjFreeman25) June 14, 2022
Quinn was trash in 2020 and now is coming off his best season. go get that trade heading into his 12th season while value is high Bears! https://t.co/UDNzJyBjLi
— Taylor Doll (@TayDoll1010xl) June 14, 2022
Felt like Quinn sticking around to be a veteran presence was a possibility, but trading him coming off an elite 2021 season makes way too much sense.
Bears could clear $12.9M in 2022 cap space. Would be 2nd-most in the NFL with around $37M https://t.co/EfA2zxZzV6
— Brad Spielberger, Esq. (@PFF_Brad) June 14, 2022
Skipping “mandatory” mini camp with a brand new regime preaching culture and competition. This will go over well with them 😂😂😂😂 🐻⬇️ https://t.co/WptQ97CBTR
— Justin Fields “QB1” (@how7878) June 14, 2022
man Robert Quinn definitely deserved a better ending than me rooting for him to get traded, but ill be so happy if we get a third out of him https://t.co/7VgJ2MlSLw
— ryan (@ryanolsonn) June 14, 2022
I would not read into this too far. There’s situations with vets who will miss portions of minicamp to train/prepare their bodies on their own while communicating with the team and getting playbook and scheme down. https://t.co/UB9uXTsmMJ
— Turner (@TKlingenmeier19) June 14, 2022
The Bears weren’t actively shopping Robert Quinn before the draft, but that doesn’t mean a chance of circumstance couldn’t lead to a different result as the season approaches. https://t.co/vRxIRVViEn
— Jason B. Hirschhorn (@by_JBH) June 14, 2022
his value is higher than it’s ever gonna be, he has a huge contract, and he doesn’t fit our timeline. try and trade him for as much as possible https://t.co/P3FS3dfzaD
— 🎡 (@FieldsToMooney) June 14, 2022
He said during the season that he does his own thing to train/heal up. Shiiii I’d excuse the absences after he just broke a franchise record. https://t.co/jOrgqTCvbT
— Blue (@FantoBlue) June 14, 2022
he literally talked about wanting to be on a contending team and not a rebuilding one, i’m not surprised at all lmfao we are probably gonna end up trading him for offensive weapons https://t.co/LbxgUwiYvk
— yeah (@niggaIoI) June 14, 2022
Send Quinn to a playoff contender and get what you can for him. Bears are going to be the same with or without him this year. https://t.co/XJE7OsgNpd
— Bologna (@PeterFonseca) June 14, 2022
To be clear- This is NOT a slam on Robert Quinn. He’s 32 years old & coming off a career year. There’s very little value for him playing on a rebuilding team when he could be with a contender.
The #Bears should recognize that too & make it happen.
— Aaron Leming (@AaronLemingNFL) June 14, 2022
Robert Quinn doesn’t fit the Bears plans or timeline to contend.
He’s 32. Likely wants a shot at a SB run.
His value will never be higher. Go and get the best possible deal for him.
— dave. (@runbackdave) June 14, 2022
Robert Quinn was fantastic last year, and his trade value will likely never be higher than it is right now.
I think he’ll be high in demand as a productive pass-rusher on the trade market. If the #Bears get a 3rd and clear up his contract, it might be best for both sides.
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) June 14, 2022
Bears are in a bit of a tough spot with Robert Quinn.
Would have made sense to trade him before the draft with the hope of getting a useful piece this year.
Trading him now means you won’t get anything until next year. Waiting to trade in-season may mean lower value.
— Matt Eurich (@MattEurich) June 14, 2022
I could be wrong. But I remember Robert Quinn being at mandatory minicamp for the #Bears last year.
— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) June 14, 2022
