The Chicago Bears made quite the splash in NFL free agency last month. In addition to trading for quarterback Nick Foles, they also put an end to the Leonard Floyd era when they signed Robert Quinn to a five-year deal for $70 million. Quinn has 80 sacks in his career. All before he even turned 30-years old. He’s as proven a pass rusher as there is in the NFL. Putting him across from Khalil Mack seemed like cheating. Most agree it’s the best move the Bears made this offseason. Except for Brian Urlacher, it seems.
The Hall of Fame middle linebacker has defense in his blood. So one would think he’d be on board for any major addition to that side of the ball. However, such was not the case with Quinn. During an interview on Waddle & Silvy for ESPN 1000, he made it clear he wasn’t thrilled about the move. Not because he disliked the pass rusher, but more because the money was put in the wrong place.
“This isn’t a knock on the player, [but] I didn’t love the signing of Robert Quinn. I liked him, he had a great season last year, really good football player. I just – you paid Khalil all this money, he gets all this money. Akiem Hicks is a badass in the middle, making all this money. I understand you get rid of Floyd. But do you need to spend that much money on another guy up front?…
…I would think you could find someone to put pressure from that side. Khalil is getting two guys no matter who is over there anyway, and with Akiem back, it’s going to be different. Once he’s healthy, we all saw how much he meant to their defense when he wasn’t in there.”
Brian Urlacher has a valid point but must remember 2019
What Urlacher says is true. When Mack and Hicks were healthy and together on the field at the same time, the Bears pass rush would be dominant. However, it’s important to remember that this wasn’t the case last year. Hicks missed most of the season with an elbow injury, Mack is rumored to have played through health issues of his own. Both players are pushing into their 30s as well. Can the Bears bank on them making it through an entire season healthy?
Quinn feels like an effort to add some insurance to their pass rush in case what happened last year repeats itself.
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That said, it’s a fair criticism. The Bears have much bigger concerns elsewhere on the roster. They still have no definitive starters at cornerback or safety next to Kyle Fuller and Eddie Jackson. Offensively their two biggest additions were Foles and Jimmy Graham. Not exactly the most exciting names to give one confidence the 27th-ranked offense will be much better in 2020. Can the Bears really trust their ability to find difference-makers in the draft without a 1st round pick?
Urlacher is skeptical and rightly so.
