Lake Forest, Ill. – Chicago Bears linebacker Robert Quinn, who has been the subject of trade rumors throughout the season, was not present on the first day of the team’s mandatory minicamp on Tuesday.
Quinn was the only player on Chicago’s 90-man roster who was not physically present for practice. The absence was not excused, according to coach Matt Eberflus, who spoke to 32-year-old Pass Rusher in recent weeks, but did not specify why Quinn was no-show.
“We’re not talking about that as an organization,” Eberflus said. “We expected him to be here. He is not. [General manager] Ryan [Poles] And its employees are going to work through it. “
Quinn recorded Chicago’s single-season in 2021 with 18.5 sacks. He did not participate in any part of the Bears’ off-season schedule, but expressed a desire to stay with the organization this off-season, with major changes to the roster and coaching staff.
Quinn said on April 26, “I felt that my resume, or my last year’s output, gave me a little weight to keep my footing in the building. At the end of the day, it’s a business. Again, you will see that Khalil Mac is trading. I mean, you might have to do it again, it’s just a business. Don’t pay too much attention to it. “
Asked directly about wanting to live in Chicago, Quinn said, “I didn’t expect to go anywhere or want to go anywhere, but again, this is crazy business.”
Earlier this season, Pauls said Quinn was part of the team’s 2022 plans and said discussions to try to trade with him had not preceded the draft.
Quinn, an 11-year veteran, has been with Chicago since 2020. With three years left in his current contract, which comes with a base salary of $ 12.8 million this season, the Bears will pay $ 12.9 million in salary cap space if they choose to trade. Linebacker. With an estimated $ 37 million, Chicago will have the second largest cap space in the NFL.
The Bears concluded their off-season program at the conclusion of the minicamp on Thursday. While Quinn’s absence has raised questions about whether he will be with Chicago for training camp in the next two months or whether the business will end, one of his teammates was not surprised.
“Not really. It’s Rob,” said security Eddie Jackson. “He’s been in the league for some time and I’m sure he has his reasons. We are waiting for his return. We know he’s going to return to the tip top. “
