For months Chicago Bears fans have waited and hoped their team could work something out with Allen Robinson. The star wide receiver seems like such an obvious choice to secure with a contract extension. Yet after multiple deadlines, it’s become clear. Both sides are just too far apart on money. Thus the 27-year old will play the year out on the franchise tag. While unfortunate, it doesn’t necessarily mean GM Ryan Pace can’t still get some business done.
Robinson isn’t the only important player on the roster who is a pending free agent. There are quite a few actually. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune hinted in a recent column that one of them could now be the focal point of a possible extension push. That being defensive end Bilal Nichols. After a strong 2020 season, the Bears would likely want to extend him now rather than wait until next offseason when his price may go up.
“A fifth-round pick in 2018, Nichols has been a bargain, and if he remains healthy and reaches the open market next March, he could command $8 million per season — or more if he has a big 2021 season…
…Don’t be surprised if the Bears start working on a new contract for Nichols. That doesn’t mean a deal will get done, and the salary cap remains a bit of an issue. They have more than $5 million in space right now, but that’s not a lot and they will need operating room for the season. They could get creative to reward Nichols and keep him in place beyond this season.”
This would be a wise approach for the Bears.
Nichols is still just 24-years old. He’s coming into his own. Not only that but it’s important to note Akiem Hicks is also a free agent next year. Losing him would be bad enough. Nichols represents the possible future of the defensive line alongside Eddie Goldman. Securing him right now is a smart strategy. The tricky part is the salary cap. Not that it has to be though.
Right now, Nichols counts just over $2.25 million against the cap. An easy solution here for the Bears would be to offer a simple contract extension. Add four or five years onto his current deal with a significant pay raise coming in 2022. This keeps his cap hit the same and he’ll likely get some nice guaranteed money up front to tide him over. It is a similar strategy to what they did with Eddie Jackson.
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Chicago Bears approach will hinge on Nichols’ agent
Is the defensive lineman open to an extension right now or is he going to bet on himself in 2021? That is to say, forgoing a new deal until after 2021. The idea being he’ll have delivered a career-best season, thus negotiating from a greater position of strength. Plenty of pending free agents do it all the time. Others though aren’t interested in taking the gamble, preferring to get a solid payday while they can.
As a 5th round pick, Nichols’ perspective comes from one of humble beginnings. So the idea he can get that money right now has to seem appealing. If Biggs is correct and he’s looking at around $8 million per year? That would put him in the same vicinity as Michael Brockers and Linval Joseph. Pretty decent company. A potential bargain from the Chicago Bears’ perspective if he continues to ascend.
The next month or so will be interesting.
Pace has a track record of getting at least one extension done each offseason. Securing Nichols long-term would be a definite win for him. Otherwise his to-do list next spring will be nothing short of massive.
