Dallas Cowboys: 2 game-changing veterans to pursue
By Dink Kearney
Dallas Cowboys: Veteran to pursue No. 2
Robert Quinn, defensive end
Robert Quinn is no stranger to Dallas because in his only season with them (2019), he recorded 11.5 sacks and parlayed that into a massive five-year, $70 million dollar contract with the Chicago Bears. At age 32 and coming off his best season ever (18.5 sacks), Quinn is expected to be traded or flat out released because Quinn isn’t part of the Bears future. Combine how the Bears will save $12. 9 million in cap revenue by releasing or trading Quinn, it’s easy to see why the 2021 second team All Pro is disposable.
In addition, any team trading for Quinn would have to pay his $12.8 million base salary. But when a team is desperate and sitting last in its own division, it’s possible the Bears will pay some of-if not most-of Quinn’s base salary in return for a quality draft pick or player. The Bears realize Quinn had his best season ever and probably won’t ever get close to those sacks again at age 32.
That’s why trading for Quinn makes sense because Dallas doesn’t have to break the bank for an aging but productive pass rusher. Matched with DeMarcus Lawrence and aided by Parsons, Dallas will clearly have the best pass rushers in the NFC East, and surely a legit top-10 group of pass rushers. Even if Quinn has to split time with up-and-coming edge rusher Dorance Armstrong, he gives Dallas depth and experience.
If Quinn is released, Dallas should jump on the opportunity of signing him before any other NFC foes does because unless they’re going to make Parsons a full-time edge rusher, then there are some question marks about who can and cannot consistently get to the quarterback not named D-Law.
I didn’t forget about rookie defensive end Sam Williams being a solid contributor as a pass rusher. I do believe he will stand out, but why not add a proven veteran like Quinn who is familiar with the organization and will only flourish Dan’s defensive scheme?
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In conclusion,
Barr and Quinn are the type of players that can put a team like Dallas over the hump because of their talents and more importantly, they give Dallas depth on its defense. I’d rather Dallas take a shot at Quinn because you can never have enough pass rushers in a pass-happy league. With Dallas having to face elite quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers (the Grinch), Tom Brady, Matthew Stafford, and Joe Burrow this season, it’s imperative they have the “War Daddies to get after them.
The 2022 season marks the 30-year anniversary of Johnson trading for Haley and winning the Super Bowl. I’m not saying that will happen if Dallas trades for Barr or specifically Quinn, but guess what Stephen and Jerry Jones, you will never know unless you do it.