Bears edge rusher Robert Quinn, inside linebacker Roquan Smith and return specialist Jakeem Grant Sr. all have been named second-team All-Pro by the Associated Press for the 2021 season.
Quinn set a franchise record with 18.5 sacks, eclipsing Hall of Fame defensive end Richard Dent's 17.5 in 1984. Quinn registered at least a half sack in 14 of 16 games played, including 12.0 in the final eight contests—a total that would have led the Bears in every season since 2007, except for 2018 when Khalil Mack compiled 12.5 sacks.
Quinn also excelled defending the run; he amassed 49 tackles and a team-leading 17 tackles-for-loss. His 18.5 sacks and 17 tackles-for-loss were the second most of his 11-year NFL career, topped only by his 19.0 sacks and league-leading 23 tackles-for-loss in 2013 with the Rams when he was voted first-team All-Pro and named to the Pro Bowl.
Smith had another impressive season, recording a career-high 163 tackles with 12 tackles-for-loss, 3.0 sacks and one interception that he returned 53 yards for a touchdown in a Week 2 win over the Bengals. The 2018 first-round pick from Georgia has compiled at least 100 tackles in each of his four seasons, the first Bears player to accomplish that feat in any four-year span since Lance Briggs did so in six consecutive seasons from 2004-09.
Smith was also named second-team All-Pro in 2020 when he finished second in the NFL with 96 solo tackles and tied for second with 18 tackles-for-loss, the most by a Bears player since Hall of Fame middle linebacker Brian Urlacher had 19 in 2002.
Obtained in an Oct. 5 trade with the Dolphins, Grant appeared in 11 games with the Bears. He ranked third in the NFL in punt returns with an 11.9-yard average with one touchdown on 26 returns and 11th in kickoff returns with a 23.4-yard average on 23 returns. He also contributed on offense, catching nine passes for 139 yards and two TDs.
Grant's 97-yard punt return touchdown Dec. 12 in Green Bay was the NFL's first punt return TD of the season and the longest punt return TD in Bears history, eclipsing Johnny Bailey's 95-yarder Dec. 29, 1990 against the Chiefs. Grant also had a 46-yard TD catch in the Bears' 45-30 loss to the Packers.
Quinn and Grant were also selected to the Pro Bowl. Smith, however, was not, with the Cowboys' Micah Parsons and the Seahawks' Bobby Wagner chosen ahead of him.
