The Los Angeles Rams have become one of the more active teams in the league over the last couple of weeks prior to the start of the free agency period. This has seen them already make two significant moves that will have a major impact on the defensive side of the ball.
The latest has come with the agreed trade of defensive end/outside linebacker Robert Quinn to the Miami Dolphins on Friday afternoon. According to Peter Schrager of FOX Sports, the details of the deal have been revealed as the Rams will be acquiring a pair of draft picks in the major move.
Quinn-to-Dolphins trade details, per source:
Rams get Miami’s 2018 4th and 6th round picks.
Dolphins get Robert Quinn and Los Angeles’s 2018 6th round pick. @nflnetwork @gmfb @NFLonFOX
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) March 2, 2018
Over the last few weeks, there had been a growing notion that the Rams were seriously considering cutting Quinn to make additional salary cap space to bring back their key free agents in Lamarcus Joyner, wide receiver Sammy Watkins, and cornerback Trumaine Johnson. This chatter was only furthered with reports suggesting that the 27-year-old had nearly been dealt to the Kansas City Chiefs as part of the deal that landed them All-Pro cornerback Marcus Peters last month.
Quinn was set to head into the third year of his four-year, $57 million deal that has just over $25 million in base salary and bonuses left on the contract including $12.4 million for the 2018 campaign. In his first seven years in the league with the Rams, Quinn has been a highly productive player totaling 62.5 career sacks, which is currently tied for third all-time in franchise history with Kevin Carter. He is coming off a productive 2017 season where he had 8.5 sacks, marking his highest total since 2014.
The decision to move off of Quinn was likely made solely with the intent of clearing up additional salary cap space to bring back all if not most of their top free agents on new deals. Los Angeles is coming off their most successful season in well over a decade and wants to continue hedging in the right direction toward building a Super Bowl contender next season and beyond that.
The Rams' next move before free agency could be either cutting or trading veteran wide receiver Tavon Austin, who has already played two years of his four-year, $42 million deal. There is a $5 million roster bonus for next season that is set to come into effect on March 16, which accounts for a significant chunk of his $8 million salary for the 2018 campaign.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins have strengthened their defensive line with the addition of a proven pass rusher to pair alongside Pro Bowlers Cameron Wake and Ndamukong Suh. Quinn's presence should help them significantly jump up as formidable pass rush after finishing 26th in the league this past season with just 30 total team sacks.
Follow Us
Subscribe