While the vast majority of the sports world remains shut down due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, NFL free agency has taken center stage–with a former Tar Heel standout cashing in big on Tuesday.

Defensive lineman Robert Quinn accepted a five-year deal worth up to $70 million from the Chicago Bears, with reports saying that $30 million is fully guaranteed.

Quinn is coming off of a spectacular season with the Dallas Cowboys, leading the team with 11.5 sacks–the most he’s had in a single season since posting a career-high 19 back in 2013 as a member of the St. Louis Rams.

After spending each of the first seven seasons of his career with the Rams, Quinn spent 2018 with the Miami Dolphins and last season with the Cowboys.

The 14th overall pick of the 2011 NFL Draft coming out of UNC has amassed 80.5 career sacks in 125 games and been selected to two Pro Bowls. He was also a First Team All-Pro selection in 2013.

On Feb. 27. of this year, Quinn was in Hillsborough–where he testified in court that he doesn’t recall receiving money from Christopher Hawkins, who was charged with giving impermissable benefits to Quinn and two other UNC football players in 2010. A mistrial was ultimately declared on Mar. 3.

Quinn’s deal is hardly the biggest move of free agency to this point, however, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers landed longtime New England Patriots’ star quarterback Tom Brady and the Arizona Cardinals made a trade for Houston Texans’ All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

 

Photo via Associated Press

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