Allen Robinson is approaching a pivotal moment in his NFL career. His latest contract is expiring. He is scheduled to become a free agent for the second time next month. This likely figures to be the last time he has a chance to make significant money before his value starts its inevitable downturn due to age. He’s clearly intent on squeezing every dollar possible out of negotiations.
That is why he and the Chicago Bears remain deadlocked. With less than a month before free agency begins, no progress has been made on a long-term extension. Robinson’s high demands coupled with the drop of the 2021 salary cap have complicated matters. Now people fear the receiver could end up hitting the market unless the Bears franchise tag him.
Even that carries risks. Not only would Robinson cost around $18 million under the tag, but there is also a real belief around the league he may not play under it anyway. Meaning a lengthy holdout. This has led to speculation about the idea of tagging and trading the receiver elsewhere. If he were on board with such an idea, what are some potential landing spots?
Here are teams that make sense.
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These teams should want Allen Robinson ASAP
Jacksonville Jaguars
This would’ve sounded crazy a year ago. Robinson didn’t mind leaving Jacksonville back in 2018 when the team let him leave in free agency. It’s amazing how fast things change. Now a completely new regime is in charge and they’re about to secure what many feel is the best QB prospect to come out of college since Andrew Luck in Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence. They’re obviously going to want to give him weapons. Robinson knows the city well and the Jaguars have over $82 million in cap space. More than enough to meet his price tag.
Washington Football Team
Ron Rivera is one of the most respected coaches in the NFL. Players love playing for him. Owner Daniel Snyder also doesn’t mind spending money for stars. Washington is looking for somebody they can pair with rising stud Terry McLaurin. The idea of him and Robinson together would terrify the NFC East. Especially if the Football Team can get their quarterback situation figured out. Whispers are they’re interested in Marcus Mariota but there are likely other options they’ll explore. With over $38 million in cap space, they can pay him.
New York Jets
Cap space? Check. Big market? Check. A desperate need for offensive weapons? That too. The Jets are in the process of sorting out their QB conundrum. Either they’ll move forward with Sam Darnold or take a rookie at #2 overall with the intent of building around him. Giving either of them a reliable go-to target like Robinson would certainly be appealing. New York has a large cache of draft picks at their disposal. It likely wouldn’t hurt them at all parting with a 2nd rounder for him.
Miami Dolphins
Like the Jets, Miami has done a good job stockpiling both cap space and extra draft picks. So they can afford to do some spending in order to find help for their young quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. DeVante Parker is their best player at the position but continues to prove unreliable from both a health and production standpoint. Allen Robinson is everything they had hoped Parker would be by this point. Giving up a Day 2 pick for him and then using their two 1st rounders to upgrade the offense further could make them a serious threat in the AFC.
Baltimore Ravens
While cap space isn’t in abundance for the Ravens, they have enough to make one splash move. Most experts agree it will be on offense. Lamar Jackson needs help at wide receiver. Their leading guy last season couldn’t even crack 800 yards. The lack of a #1 target really hurt them in the playoffs. If that team wants to reach the next level, then they need to give their franchise QB a reliable target. Baltimore has a history of chasing top veteran receivers and they’re at a point where a calculated trade for Allen Robinson makes perfect sense.