5 Chicago Bears who need to step up after 5 weeks

3. Robert Quinn

If the Chicago Bears expected Robert Quinn to play 36% of the team’s defensive snaps when they signed him to a five-year deal featuring $14 million per year, and $30 million guaranteed, they are wasting their money. Through five games, that is what is happening.

To be fair, Quinn missed week one with an injury. Since then, it can be argued the Bears have been careful with easing Quinn back in. So far through four weeks, he has played 38%, 47%, 44%, and 58% of the Chicago Bears defensive snaps. The good news is that the 30 number is in the rearview mirror, and he has steading grown from 30 to 40 to now over 50% of the snaps.

Quinn has an extended rest from Thursday to next Sunday. In Week Six, we need to see him over 60% of the defensive snaps. Playing him as an obvious pass rusher is fine, but he needs to be out for every pass-rush snap, and at least some run defense snaps. Quinn also needs to produce for the money he is being paid. Nobody is doubling him with Khalil Mack and Akiem Hicks on the other side. He needs to play better moving forward.