The start of NFL Free Agency in 2023 has been thrilling. With record-setting contracts and head-turning trades already on the books, there are still quite a few playmakers waiting on a deal, like former Philadelphia Eagles DE Robert Quinn.
While not the biggest of names in the free agency pool on the defensive line, Quinn was in the top 50 of our NFL Top 100 Free Agents. Heading into his 13th season in the league, Quinn could potentially join his sixth franchise. Or, will the veteran defensive lineman pick a reunion with a former team?
Robert Quinn Free Agency Best Fits
After getting traded by Chicago to Philadelphia in the middle of the 2022 season, Quinn and the Eagles agreed to void the final two years of his contract, making him a free agent this offseason.
A first-team All-Pro pass rusher in 2013 and second-team All-Pro in 2021, Quinn has achieved double-digit sacks in five seasons, with the most recent coming in 2021 (18.5). What are the best fits for the 13-year veteran?
The Kansas City Chiefs Need Depth at Pass Rusher
After playing in the first Super Bowl of his 12-year career, why not chase another ring if the opportunity presents itself?
The Kansas City Chiefs’ most significant moves so far this offseason have been the decision not to retain two big names on the roster: DE Frank Clark and LT Orlando Brown. Veteran DE Carlos Dunlap is also an unrestricted free agent, leaving Kansas City with little depth on the defensive line.
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The Chiefs did sign former San Francisco 49ers DL Charles Omenihu to a two-year, $16 million contract, but the team still needs reinforcements on the defensive line.
If Quinn wants to get a ring and can’t command the money he expects after an off year, a team-friendly deal with the Chiefs, who sit middle of the pack in salary cap space, could be the best scenario for both parties. It also helps that Quinn is already familiar with defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo from their days with the St. Louis Rams.
A Reunion With the Chicago Bears Could Be on the Horizon
Could Robert Quinn return to the franchise that traded him less than a year after the transaction? After hearing his comments before Super Bowl 57, the door has opened back up.
Quinn wasn’t the happiest at the time of the trade, stating, “You’re pulled into the building, and they say you’re getting traded, especially in the middle of the year. It ain’t really a good feeling.”
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However, his journey afterward took away some of the hard feelings. When asked about the trade before the Super Bowl, Quinn responded, “It was an unexpected journey that I definitely went on. But it seemed to work out well in the end.”
While Chicago and Philadelphia were opposites last season, the Bears have already made several moves to vastly improve their roster. Reuniting with Quinn could help the Bears save one of their many draft picks for a position of higher need. The NFL can be a cruel business, but it seems Quinn understands this after the second trade of his career.
Could the 49ers Sign Quinn for Depth on San Francisco’s Defense?
This may seem like an odd fit at first, but San Francisco’s front line, specifically the depth on the outside, is going through a reshuffle this offseason.
Contracts for DT Javon Hargrave and DE Clelin Ferrell have already been put on the books, but the 49ers only have four DEs on the roster now. Kyle Shanahan still has a highly competitive roster, especially in a comparatively weak NFC, and the team is ready for another Super Bowl push.
Playing for two franchises last season did him no favors, but it’s clear Quinn can still be a force to be reckoned with when rushing the passer. The 49ers were a top-ten team in the NFL at sacking the quarterback, racking up 44 in 2022. With their current signings and the talent they’ve retained, bringing Quinn in as a pass rusher could only make that unit more lethal.
