The St. Louis Rams have signed All-Pro defensive end Robert Quinn to a four-year, $66.6 million extension with $41.2 million guaranteed. Quinn, a first-round pick of the Rams back in 2011, put up a whopping 19.5 sacks and was in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year honors last season.
The news was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Rams DE Robert Quinn signed 4-year, $66.575M extension that includes $41.2M gtd tying him to team through 2019, agent Tony Fleming confirmed
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 13, 2014
Quinn’s $41.2 million guarantee ranks him second behind recently extended Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt at that position. In addition to this, his average salary of $16.7 million ranks Quinn right there with Watt as the highest-paid defensive linemen in the NFL.
The money is well spent here. Quinn’s 2013 performance was one of the best in league history from a pass-rushing standpoint. And at just 24 years of age, the upside is unlimited here.
Quinn likely took a shorter-term deal than his counterpart in Houston because he wanted to test the open market sooner. That makes a ton of sense considering the salary cap is expected to increase due to television revenue in the coming years.
Photo: USA Today