Bears GM explains why he did not trade top pass rusher Robert Quinn

One season removed from setting the Bears' franchise record for sacks in a season (18.5), Robert Quinn presumably had high trade value.

But as first-year general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus begin the start of what is expected to be an arduous rebuild, they decided to hold onto the NFL’s second-leading sacker from 2021. They elected to have him anchor a young defensive line instead of flipping him for salary cap relief and draft capital.

“There’s, I think, a misconception (that) it’s like, ‘Tear this down and rebuild it all.’’ Poles told reporters recently. “It’s not that. There’s also a feel for the room. It’s how can you make the room better? How can you stay productive and win ballgames? And I think (Quinn) helps us with that.”

Poles’ first significant move as Bears GM came in mid-March when he traded another star pass rusher, Khalil Mack, to the Los Angeles Chargers for second-round pick in 2022 and a sixth-round pick in 2023.

From there, he began reshaping Chicago’s front seven, releasing defensive tackle Eddie Goldman and letting free-agent defensive end Akeim Hicks and linebacker Danny Trevathan hit the open market.

So, it may come as a bit of a surprise that Quinn — the team’s biggest perceived trade chip — is still on Chicago’s roster just five days away from the Bears' opener against the San Francisco 49ers.

But with a new defensive-minded head coach — one who moved the Bears from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3 — Quinn will move from outside linebacker back to defensive end, his natural position.

And with a defensive line that features six players 26 or younger, including rookie fifth-round pick Dominique Robinson, keeping Quinn around — even at a $17 million cap hit — was in Chicago’s best interest.

“I’m a huge fan of Robert Quinn,” Poles added. “He’s been productive. … Not saying that Khalil wasn’t, but for Robert, he brings one of those examples of what Matt wanted to see out of his defense and being relentless, high motor — that’s that guy. And again, he’s another leader in the room who can show the young guys the way.”