Feb 6, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; NFC outside linebacker Robert Quinn of the Chicago Bears (94) during the Pro Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Bye, bye birdie? Newest Eagle Robert Quinn can depart in offseason

By Bruce Ewing | Last updated 10/28/22

The newest Eagle will be free to fly away in the offseason.

Defensive end Robert Quinn and the team mutually agreed to eliminate the last two years of his contract, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. That means Quinn will become a free agent after the season. The Eagles acquired Quinn earlier this week from the Bears.

When the #Eagles traded for Robert Quinn, it was the culmination of a long negotiation for a top DE, as GM Howie Roseman was his usual deal-making self. Along with the deal, the sides mutually agreed that Quinn be a free agent after 2022, cutting off his final two contract years.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 28, 2022

The Eagles were never going to pay a 32-year-old defensive end $14 million, but no one else probably is either.

If Quinn can come close to his 18.5-sack form of 2021, he could do well in free agency. According to Spotrac, 76 defensive ends are scheduled to become free agents in 2023; 20 of them will be over 30. Quinn's closest competition will come from Baltimore's Justin Houston, Arizona's J.J. Watt and fellow Eagle Brandon Graham.

Houston leads the group with six sacks. Graham has three sacks. J.J.Watt has 2.5.

It will be interesting to see how Quinn, who has one sack, and Graham work together. Graham has had a much better season, but if Quinn plays well, Graham probably won't return to the Eagles.

With this latest move, the Eagles will have four pending free agents on the defensive line, including Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave. All of them will be over 30.

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