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3 Reasons the Chicago Bears should trade Khalil Mack or Robert Quinn

By Rob Schwarz Jr

Chicago Bears - Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Bears - Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Chicago Bears, Robert Quinn
Chicago Bears – Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

The Chicago Bears defense can be good without Khalil Mack or Robert Quinn

We can go back to 2021 and realize that the Chicago Bears defense can still remain a top unit without one of Khalil Mack or Robert Quinn. Having both on the defensive line would be ideal, and I’m not going to be upset if the Bears keep both of them. This duo was wreaking havoc at the beginning of the 2021 season as both Quinn and Mack were averaging a sack each per game. It was great to see, but do you know what it got them? A record of 3-4 over seven games before Mack went down with a season-ending foot injury.

Some might think if Mack were to have remained healthy the team could have had a better season record, but I’m here to remind you that this team was fourth in the league in sacks with 49. The top team was the Steelers who undeservedly made the playoffs. They finished with 55. If we look at the top-10 teams in sacks, only five of those teams made the playoffs — granted the Rams were third (50) in sacks and won the Super Bowl.

The point is, generating sacks isn’t enough and we can see that by looking at how teams finished in this area last season. The league shifted to an offensive-minded league years ago and the Chicago Bears are still trying to play catch up. With Khalil Mack or Robert Quinn gone, the Chicago Bears will still have Trevis Gipson to pair with them plus any free agents or draft picks the team might pursue. Gipson stepped in for Mack last year and finished with seven sacks on the year.

It does not make sense to trade both Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn, but trading one will allow the defense to remain good enough to compete. Without Mack, the Bears still finished 13th in defensive DVOA. They allowed 23.9 points per game but that wasn’t all on the defense, it was partly due to a stagnant offense. Improving the offense has to be the priority now. By the way, the Colts were 25th in sacks last year and eighth in defensive DVOA. This defense will be fine without one of Mack or Quinn.

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