Philadelphia Eagles, Robert Quinn Both Have Sights Set On This Season With New Deal

The Philadelphia Eagles had a specific plan on the offensive side of the ball to handle Robert Quinn, back when Quinn would face them as a member of the Chicago Bears.

“You always had to know where he was at all times, and so there are protections that we’ve had before and that you name them after the player because you’re going to — without giving too much away, you’re going to be very aware of where he is on the field,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said Friday. “There has definitely been a protection we’ve had called 2 Jet Quinn, because you want to know where he was.”

But it is the Bears, not the Eagles, who will need that protection when the two teams meet on December 18, following Philadelphia’s acquisition of Chicago’s all-time single-season sack leader this week in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

In fact, it could be helpful for the Pittsburgh Steelers as soon as this week, when they face the Eagles on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.

“We’re working on getting him up to speed, Sirianni said. “He’s a smart guy that’s been in a lot of different systems. Our coaches are working hard, and we’re hopeful he’s playing on Sunday. His addition adds another good player to the system, amongst a group of guys that can already get after the passer. Then you add another guy, and that’s just more fresh legs coming after the quarterback, which to me is one of the most important positions in football.”

It’s a position the undefeated Eagles have needed to fill since Derek Barnett was lost for the season due to injury, and a fourth-round pick is a small price to pay for a replacement of Quinn’s caliber. Amid a sea of dominant stats, the Eagles are still just middle-of-the-pack in sacks.

Quinn’s production, too, is down so far this season, but Sirianni isn’t particularly worried about the drop in his sack totals — just one in seven games this season after 18.5 last year for Chicago.

“I have a ton of respect for him as a player. He’s still playing at a high level. Obviously, we know how many sacks he had last year, setting the Bears single season record for sacks, and still seeing him getting after the passer.

Sometimes sacks come in waves, but we still see the juice in his legs, his ability to put the tackle in a threatening spot and create pressure. We’re excited to have him.”

Quinn himself pointed out just how different it is rushing the passer when his team has a lead, rather than playing from behind.

But if there were any question about whether this move is for now or the future, Quinn and the Eagles settled that with a mutual agreement to cut the final two years off of his contract on Friday.

Now, the stakes are simple: the 6-0 Eagles are pursuing a championship, and Quinn hopes by helping them do it, there’s a big payday waiting on the other side for the 32-year-old star.