The Eagles Defense Just Got Better

In 2017, general manager Howie Roseman recognized that the Philadelphia Eagles we short on talent at the cornerback position. He made a move to acquire Ronald Darby from the Buffalo Bills in August before the season kicked off to bolster the group. Later that same year when the Eagles appeared to be trending in the right direction as one of the best teams in the NFL through eight weeks with a 7-1 record, Roseman then acquired running back Jay Ajayi from the Miami Dolphins.

Roseman is back at it yet again with his 6-0 football team, the only undefeated team in the league. On Wednesday, the 2017 NFL Executive of the Year traded for veteran defensive end Robert Quinn from the Chicago Bears for a 2023 fourth-round pick. A flat-out steal. The twelve-year vet has had a down year for the 3-4 Bears, who are one of many rebuilding teams in the league. It would seem that Quinn still had a lot left to give when you factor in his 18.5 sacks for Chicago just a season ago. The down year impacted by a lack of talent on the defensive side of the ball. His addition to Jonathan Gannon's defense should really help out the rest of the group that they have along the defensive frontline, possibly replacing what they lost in starting defensive end Derek Barnett to an ACL injury at the start of the season. If not more.

Quinn joins a defense that ranks 4th in the NFL in total defense, giving up 298 yards per contest. And leads the league in turnovers with 12, doubling the next closest team in that category – the Dallas Cowboys. Philadelphia is tied for 10th in the NFL with 17 total sacks. The Cowboys have 29 to lead the pack. 

Starting corner James Bradberry was signed to a one-year deal in May after being released by the New York Giants. Now this latest move adding Quinn to an already impressive group that needed his skillset coming off the edge for the final 11 weeks of the season.

Let’s see if Roseman’s late moves to help the Birds will end up with the same result – hoisting the Lombardi Trophy on February 12, 2023 in... this time in Arizona.