Quinn has come on these past few games.
Is it because he's slowly adapting to his new position of OLB?
Or is it because Wade is really using him more from his familiar 4-3 DE position?
Or is it that he's more healthy than he's been in a while?
Don't know. But he's been a difference maker.
So the question is this: although he'll make $12 mil next year, he's only 27 years old. Guys who are as athletic and fast as he is at his size don't grow on trees. He is a sack artist. He's playing the run better. And, he's staying pretty healthy.
It's been a forgone conclusion around here (me included) that he'll be cut at the end of year to clear just under $12mil in cap space. But what do you think now? Now I'm not so sure. I'd be especially more interested in him staying if perhaps he got an extension that made him more affordable. It's not like he's going to play for $5 or $6 mil. But I wonder if they could get him down to the $8 mil range over, say, 3 years, and if that would be worth it for the Rams?
Besides, if other teams think he's worth $12 mil, it's probably as a traditional 4-3 DE, and I would think the Rams could get a 3rd or even 2nd rounder for him rather than just cut him.
The thing is, the Rams O is set except perhaps at LT and Center for the next few years. No need for much of anything except depth (even at LT and C). So the Rams won't have to spend anything on O except perhaps a pick or 2 on the Oline, and maybe a shot at a young dynamic RB to grow behind Gurley.
So the Rams can spend the bulk of their money on the D. And even without doing anything with Robert Quinn, they're still going to have decent cap space.
