Robert Quinn lone unexcused absentee from Chicago Bears mandatory minicamp

The defender who is coming off Chicago’s single-season sack record of 18.5 has been the subject of trade speculation for months.

LAKE FOREST — Linebacker for the Chicago Bears, Robert Quinnwho has been the subject of trade rumors throughout the offseason, was not present for the first day of mandatory minicamp Tuesday.

Quinn he was the only player on the 90-man squad Chicago He was not physically there for practice. The absence was not excused, according to the head coach Matt Eberfluswho said he has communicated with the 32-year-old defensive back in recent weeks, but did not specify the reason for his absence. Quinn.

“We’re not talking about that, as an organization,” he said. Eberflus. “We were hoping he was here. He’s not. [El gerente general] Ryan [Poles] and his group are working on it”.

Quinn set the record for a season in sacks for Chicago with 18.5 in 2021. He did not participate in any portion of the team’s offseason program. bearsbut made it known his desire to remain with the organization amid this year’s massive roster and coaching changes.

“The only thing I thought is that I hope that my resume or my production from last year gives me a little weight to keep my foot in the building,” he said. Quinn April 26. “At the end of the day, it’s a business. Again, you see Khalil Mack being pierced. I mean, you probably should, I mean, it’s a business. Don’t get bogged down in it, too crazy.”

When asked directly about wanting to stay in Chicago, Quinn he said, “I didn’t expect to go anywhere, nor do I want to go anywhere, but then again, it’s crazy business.”

At the beginning of the campaign break, Poles implied that Quinn it was part of the team’s plans for 2022, and he said talk of a trade attempt hadn’t happened before the draft.

Quinnan 11-season veteran, has been with Chicago since 2020. With three years remaining on his current contract, which carries a price tag of $12.8 million as base salary for this season, the bears they would recoup $12.9 million in cap space if they opt to trade the linebacker. Chicago then he would be left with the second-most salary-cap space in the NFL with an estimated $37 million.

The bears they culminate their offseason schedule on Thursday, with the close of minicamp. While the absence of Quinn raises questions as to whether he will be with Chicago for training camp, or whether he’ll be traded sometime in the next couple of months, was no surprise to his teammates.

“Not really. It’s Rob“said the safety, Eddie Jackson. “He’s been in the league for a while, and I’m sure he has his reasons for it. We keep waiting for him to come back. We know he’s going to come back in top shape.”