Cowboys News: Robert Quinn Traded to Dallas by Dolphins for 6th-Round Pick

Paul KasabianSenior ContributorMarch 28, 2019

Miami Dolphins defensive end Robert Quinn (94) goes after Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Cody Kessler (6) for a sack, during the second half at an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

The Miami Dolphins traded defensive end Robert Quinn to the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, the Cowboys announced.

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com first reported the news:

Ian Rapoport @RapSheet
Sources: The #Cowboys and Dolphins have parameters in place on a trade to send pass-rusher Robert Quinn to Dallas. There are still minor issues to work out with Quinn’s agent, but the #Cowboys are expected to land a big piece on the edge of their defense.

The trade will include a new deal for Quinn:

Tom Pelissero @TomPelissero
Robert Quinn will do a new 1-year deal with the #Cowboys to complete the trade with the #Dolphins, per source. Some help at right end.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported the financial details of Quinn's new contract:

Tom Pelissero @TomPelissero
On his revised 1-year deal with the #Cowboys, Robert Quinn will now make $9.2 million in 2019 (including the bonus already paid by Miami). Max $10M if he reaches 7 sacks. Solid deal to get Quinn to Dallas.

After playing seven years with the St. Louis and Los Angeles Rams, Quinn was traded to the Dolphins in the 2018 offseason. He brought a decorated resume to Miami thanks to his 62.5 sacks, including a league-high 19.0 in 2013.

However, the 28-year-old was quiet for a large portion of the 2018 season and amassed just one sack in his first nine games. He got hot at the end of the year and racked up 5.5 sacks in his last seven contests, but the Dolphins felt it was time to move on.

That isn't to say Quinn played poorly overall, but Miami is in a tough spot.

First, the Fins are coming off a disappointing 7-9 season and haven't won a playoff game in nearly two decades.

Miami is turning the page on a new era under head coach Brian Flores, and with that comes the need for a significant roster rebuild. Paying over $12 million for a veteran player who was up and down last year isn't a prudent move in that respect.

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Second, the Dolphins save nearly $13 million on their 2019 salary cap with Quinn's release, per Over The Cap.

While the North Carolina product isn't the right fit for Miami, he can enjoy a career resurgence in Dallas. His sack numbers may have gone down, but the second-half surge was encouraging. Plus, he'll be 29 for Week 1 of the 2019 NFL season, so he could have something left in the tank for the Cowboys.

Also, Dallas has a pass-rushing need. Per Football Outsiders, the Cowboys had the sixth-lowest sack rate in the league last season.

That mark included Randy Gregory's six sacks, which were second on the team. Gregory won't be back with Dallas next year as the NFL has indefinitely suspended him for repeated violations of the NFL's substance abuse policy.

Quinn could at least fill that void. Ultimately, he has played 15 or 16 games in six of his eight seasons, so his durability could help him succeed into his 30s. In a pass-happy league, don't expect him to be out of work for long as teams scramble to find defensive ends who can shut down aerial attacks.