Eagles Breakdown: Robert Quinn has been a non-factor since coming to Philly
It’s only been three games, but the lack of productivity from newly acquired pass rusher Robert Quinn has been a little alarming.
Since joining the Eagles defense, Quinn has played 22 percent of the snaps (49 snaps total) and has recorded two tackles along with three quarterback pressures, one QB hit, and zero sacks.
Per Pro Football Focus, the veteran edge defender has been one of the worst players at the position in 2022. Over the past three weeks, Quinn has posted a 37.4 defensive grade. On the season, he’s earned a 40.2 defensive grade, ranking him 118th out of 119 qualifying defensive ends.
No one expected Quinn to be a truly dominant force when he arrived in Philadelphia. He’s always been subpar against the run. This season, he grades out as the worst run defender among 110 qualifying edge rushers, per PFF. He was expected to be a force in pass rushing situations, though, and that clearly hasn’t materialized.
His 55.3 pass rush grade this season ranks 95th out of 115 defensive ends. Since he became a part of Jonathan Gannon’s defensive line rotation, his pass rushing grade has dipped to 52.6.
So, what gives?
For starters, Quinn’s production has been inconsistent for his entire career. He recorded double-digit sacks in three of his first four years (2011-’14) in the NFL. Following the tremendous four-year start to his career, Quinn didn’t reach double-digits sacks again until 2019. In 2020, Quinn only managed two sacks despite appearing in 15 games for Chicago. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, he bounced back with an 18.5-sack campaign last year. Now, he’s tallied just one sack through 10 weeks this season.
Quinn is also 32 years old. If his 18.5 sack outburst in 2021 was his final hoorah as a productive pass rusher, would anyone be totally shocked? When the brick wall of age comes crashing in, sometimes it can be inescapable.
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The Eagles outlook
From the Eagles perspective, Quinn underperforming isn’t the end of the world. They only gave up a fourth-round pick in next year’s NFL Draft for his services. Plus, Chicago picked up the majority of Quinn’s remaining $7.9M salary for this year. Not to mention Quinn and the Eagles front office mutually agreed to terminate his contract after this year, making him an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
On the other hand, this trade wasn’t made with long-term viability in mind. Howie Roseman went out and acquired Quinn to bolster the Eagles’ already ferocious pass rush. It was a clear win-now move from Howie, as evidenced by the termination of Quinn’s remaining contract.
Simply put, Quinn has been a complete non-factor during the three games he’s been in Philly. It has only been three games, so there is a chance he turns it around and helps propel this Eagles team to the promised land. But, based on his career trajectory and all the peaks and valleys he’s seen in terms of his production, it’s hard to envision Quinn suddenly becoming the vaunted pass rusher he was last season.
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