PHILADELPHIA – Robert Quinn is expected to make his Eagles debut on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a scant four days after being acquired from the Chicago Bears for a 2023 fourth-round pick.
Part of the quick integration is Quinn’s experience and some of it is the position he plays as an edge rusher. The Eagles’ thought is that Quinn, 32, can pin his ears back in certain situations and give Philadelphia 15-or-so snaps in pass-rushing situations.
Head coach Nick Sirianni said Friday morning that he is “hopeful” that Quinn will be able to go against the Steelers and a team source told JAKIB Sports that is indeed the plan.
“We’re working on getting him up to speed,” Sirianni said. “He’s a smart guy that’s been in a lot of different systems. Our coaches are working hard, and we’re hopeful he’s playing on Sunday.”
The Eagles’ defensive scheme is very close to the one Chicago ran in 2021 when Quinn put up 18 1/2 sacks although Quinn admitted the terminology differences are the difficult part of the sudden change of moving in-season to a new team.
“The terminology is a lot different,” Quinn told JAKIB Sports. “All defenses are kinda similar anyway but it’s terminology and that will be my challenge if anything, just learning the terminology to perfection.”
With the news that the Eagles and Quinn agreed to avoid the final two years of his contract, the North Carolina product has 11 games and the playoffs to prove himself in Philadelphia, almost a baseball-like rent-a-player as Howie Roseman and Philadelphia push the pedal to the metal with the championship window perceived to be open.
“I have a ton of respect for him as a player,” said Sirianni. “He’s still playing at a high level. Obviously, we know how many sacks he had last year…and still seeing him getting after the passer.
“Sometimes sacks come in waves, but we still see the juice in his legs, his ability to put the tackle in a threatening spot and create pressure. We’re excited to have him.”
