What the Chicago Bears should do with 5 remaining big money players

The Chicago Bears should roll the dice by keeping Robert Quinn and look to trade him during the 2022 season.

Robert Quinn currently has the Chicago Bears’ biggest salary cap hit with a charge of just over $17 million. He recorded a franchise record of 18.5 sacks last season.

The Chicago Bears are switching to a base 4-3 defensive scheme under new head coach Matt Eberflus. Quinn is an effective pass rusher with his hand in the ground.

At the same time, he is going to be 32 next season. While his 2021 season was fantastic, his 2020 season was disappointing as he recorded just two sacks. This might be the highest his trade value will ever be.

If the Poles trades Quinn, that will leave a huge void at the defensive end position. The Chicago Bears only other pass rusher currently under contract is Trevis Gipson. He is coming off a seven-sack 2021 season but he has never rushed the quarterback in the NFL from a three-point stance.

Trading Quinn would mean the Chicago Bears would have another roster hole to fill in free agency and the draft.

The better idea for Poles is to roll the dice and keep Quinn. Quinn can help tutor Gipson on the details of rushing the passer in a 4-3 scheme. If the Chicago Bears are not in playoff contention by the trade deadline, which seems likely, Poles can then look to trade Quinn.

It is a gamble because Quinn would need to be healthy and productive like 2021. If he is anything like the player we saw in 2020, then he would be a drag on the Chicago Bears salary cap situation.