Four trade candidates the KC Chiefs should avoid
By Jacob Milham
Outside linebacker Robert Quinn
This writer was banging the table this offseason, calling for the Chiefs to acquire Chicago Bears outside linebacker Robert Quinn. In hindsight, not trading for Quinn could have been the right call.
Quinn was a hot trade candidate following the 2021 season. New Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles deconstructed the Bears’ defensive front seven, but Quinn remained. He was explicit about his desire to stay in Chicago after the defensive changes, saying he “didn’t expect to go anywhere, or want to go anywhere.” The 32-year-old veteran broke the Bears’ single-season sack record in 2021, recording 18.5 sacks. His production went underappreciated during the season, but he was one of the season’s best individual performances.
The difficulty of trading Quinn lies in the off-field factors. He is currently in the third year of a five-year, $70 million contract, and he is not getting any younger. But, for teams in a win-now scenario, surrendering draft picks for short-term gain is palatable. Trading for Quinn is a high-risk, high-reward venture.
Kansas City currently has a below-average pass rush due to injuries and a lack of star power. Rookie defensive end George Karlaftis looks solid, but veterans Frank Clark and Carlos Dunlap are not making major impacts. The Chiefs should bolster the pass rush, but Quinn’s stock has come down to earth. He only has one sack and two quarterback hits through six games in 2022. Those are not impactful stats, and the Chiefs should wisely avoid the pricey veteran.