The Dallas Cowboys are not close to a deal with the Miami Dolphins for Robert Quinn, according to The Athletic's Calvin Watkins.

Robert Quinn will turn 29 in May and has a cap hit around $13 million this season. For a player who had only 6.5 sacks in 2018, the cap hit is something the Dolphins are willing to pay.

They are willing to do whatever is possible to trade Quinn; the Dolphins are trying to start fresh with new head coach Brian Flores, who was New England's defensive coordinator last season.

Flores likes to mix up his defensive schemes, using 3-4 and 4-3 alignments interchangeably. Quinn won't fit into his plans. Quinn had his best production as a 4-3 defensive end, a big reason why the Rams traded him in the first place — Los Angeles had changed to a 3-4 defense.

Despite the Cowboys' interest in the veteran pass rusher entering his ninth season in the NFL, no deal is imminent. The New Orleans Saints have also expressed interest, since they are in need of a defensive end to replace Alex Okafor.

If a trade doesn't happen, it's possible that Quinn could be released.

“The thought is if they cannot trade him, they will likely move on from him as they go toward a new regime,” Ian Rapoport said on Up to the Minute.

At this point, why give up draft picks to the Dolphins if they plan to cut him anyway?

It's possible that both the Cowboys and Saints will wait until Quinn is released and keep the draft picks that they have before pursuing Quinn.