Through four weeks, Robert Quinn has been a pass rush only rotational player
If you have been reading the blog, we have consistently highlighted the plan to potentially ease Robert Quinn into the Chicago Bears rotation. After missing week one with an injury, Quinn has played on pass-rushing snaps only and has barely seen the field against the run. This trend continued once again week three, as he played just 32 of the teams 72 snaps.
Through four weeks the Chicago Bears are 3-1, and Quinn has a strip-sack. There are positives to the arraignment. However, Bears fans have to look at the money involved as well. Quinn is being top tier money. This may not mean being elite against the run, but it probably means being on the field for more than half of the team’s defensive snaps.
The question becomes, if he produces every week, does the lack of snaps matter? No. Quinn rushed the passer on 21 of 32 snaps. Only Akiem Hicks and Khalil Mack had more pass rush attempts. The Colts only dropped back to pass 32 times. The Bears likely had hoped the 11 run snaps he played were passing plays as well.
So, the Bears playing from behind against Atlanta and Indianapolis increased their rush attempts. Indy wanted to run the ball and slow the game down anyways. However, in these game scripts, Quinn is going to get limited chances to do what he was signed to do anyways.
Against New York, he was playing rotationally but you did not hear anyone worry about it.
If Robert Quinn plays 80% of his opponent’s dropbacks, and he creates three pressures, or one sack every game, does it matter that he does not play on run downs? He is hitting the majority of pass-rush snaps threshold.
The Chicago Bears either need to get more production from Quinn in his limited role, or they need to get him to provide on run defense. If they are not getting one or the other it is a problem.