Chicago Bears (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Ryan Pace and the Chicago Bears made a big-time move on Tuesday, agreeing with pass rusher Robert Quinn.
The Chicago Bears got off to a weird start on the first day of the NFL’s legal tampering period. General manager Ryan Pace signed veteran tight end Jimmy Graham to a 2-year, $16 million deal to come in and help what was a major weakness in 2019.
Following the Graham signing, most fans were perplexed. I have to say, I was not thrilled.
Tuesday, though, brought new joy as a Bears fan. Pace made a couple of moves back to back which should only bolster an already-stout defense.
First, the Bears announced they were cutting ties with veteran outside linebacker Leonard Floyd. The fifth-year option would have cost the Bears $13.5 million for a guy who has failed to produce a double-digit sack season after coming to the Bears as a touted first-round pick four years ago.
At the same time, the Bears agreed to terms with former Dalllas Cowboys Pro Bowl pass rusher Robert Quinn.
The 29-year old Quinn comes to the Bears as a former All Pro and posting double-digit sacks four times in his career, including 11.5 last season with Dallas.
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Looking at the deal, overall, it does include a potential out after the first two seasons, so this is essentially a 2-year deal and, if Quinn stands out, could end up lasting longer.
In cutting Floyd, the Bears don’t end up spending a bunch of net cash on Quinn in the immediate future, which certainly helps justify the financial aspect of it. Still, Quinn’s deal is more than anyone anticipated the Bears spending on an edge rusher.
Quinn now gets to line up opposite Khalil Mack on a front seven that also features the likes of Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman, Danny Trevathan and Roquan Smith.
Oh, and let’s not forget about Bilal Nichols and Roy Robertson-Harris. Not to mention, that secondary still boasts one of the league’s top corner-safety duos in Kyle Fuller and Eddie Jackson.
Most did not expect Pace to make a huge deal like this, at least not with a pass rusher. While that position was a need this offseason, it wasn’t considered at the top of the priority list — at least from fans and analysts.
This move signals one thing and one thing only for Pace: He is all-in on a Super Bowl run in 2020.
Regardless of what happens on the opposite side of the ball (and I do believe Pace will make something happen there, as well) the Bears are set up to make a Super Bowl run. Pace has made his intentions clear with bringing in Quinn.