Bears outside linebacker Robert Quinn has been named the NFC defensive player of the month for November.

In three games in November, the 11-year NFL veteran registered 5.5 sacks, 14 tackles, five tackles-for-loss and two forced fumbles. In a Nov. 21 contest against the Ravens, he established a career high with 3.5 sacks.

Quinn is tied for fourth in the NFL and first in the NFC with a team-leading 11.0 sacks.

This is the first time that Quinn has won a defensive player of the month award since entering the league with the Rams in 2011 as a first-round draft pick.

The last time a Bears player was named NFC defensive player of the month was in 2018 when outside linebacker Khalil Mack won it in September and safety Eddie Jackson was recognized in November.

While honored to win the award, Quinn is more interested in continuing to perform at a high level the rest of the season.

"It's great to be recognized for one month," Quinn told reporters. "If I go cold the rest of the year, I'm sure y'all will forget about this month. It's all about consistency; see if I can do it this weekend and the following weekend.

"That's how I just keep football simple, keep life simple, stay focused on what's in front of you. Don't try to look too far into the future because then you forget to live in the present. I like to just stay where I am, keep my feet grounded."

Quinn is in the midst of a major bounce-back season after producing just two sacks in 2020 in his first year with the Bears.

"From last year, [I'm] just trying to redeem myself personally," Quinn said. "That was a disappointing season, and this year, I just try not to let the unnecessary weight or negativity weigh me down or keep it off my plate. So, this year, I'm just able to have fun; been able to bond with the guys more, so it turned into a brotherhood. I think just that alone allows you to play more comfortable and fast and make plays."

Because of COVID-19 restrictions, it was difficult for Quinn to bond with his new teammates after signing with the Bears last year.

"I think 2020 was a weird year for all of us," he said. "One, you walk into the stands and there's nobody there. Two, you walk into the building and they want you six feet apart. Me walking into a new place, all I'm seeing is eyes. Trying to learn feels tough. But you make the best of your situation and just keep on moving on and see what tomorrow brings."

Becoming closer to his teammates this season has helped Quinn on and off the field.

"You've got to stop looking at your teammates as teammates," Quinn said. "You've got to start looking at them as brothers because once your teammates become your family, you'll do basically whatever you can to help protect and make sure your family is successful. I was taught that early in my career.

"You've got to really bond with your teammates so y'all become brothers, so that way when you do wrong they can cuss you out in a respectful way; if you do right, they can praise you. It's really just building that brotherhood and I guess seeing where guys' hearts really are and not trying to, I guess, be a jerk about it. Just know if they do cuss you our or praise you, it's always coming from a good place where they just want the best from you."