Allen Robinson has sought a contract extension from the Chicago Bears dating back to early last year. The two sides just haven’t been able to find any common ground thus far. It isn’t entirely clear why. Are the Bears trying to low-ball the star receiver or is Robinson’s demand too outlandish? The impact of COVID-19 on the NFL salary cap has played a big part in this, limiting the kind of future money the team was comfortable offering.
It is a big reason why the two sides haven’t spoken seriously about a deal since last September. At least according to the most recent reports. Could that be about to change? One certainly hopes so. After signing his franchise tag contract, the Bears now have until July 15th to negotiate an extension with him. Otherwise he is locked into the one-year deal for the 2021 season. After that, they’d only have the brief span between the end of their year and the start of free agency to get something done. That seems unlikely if it gets that far.
Robinson knows they aren’t going to tag him a second time.
So the ball seems to be in the court of GM Ryan Pace. Thus far he hasn’t made the kind of push necessary to close the gap with Robinson’s demands. He has two weeks left to change that. The wide receiver was careful in his comments on the situation when asked about it on NFL Network. His primary goal at this point is making sure he plays the best season he possibly can. Both to help the Bears win and maximize his value going into next offseason.
“We’ll see. I think the biggest thing like, again, like I said, just about going out there this year, having fun, making plays, trying to help this team get back into the playoffs. I think that’s the main thing. That’s what I’ve set out during the course of this offseason. Every time I get on the field, into my workouts and things like that, it’s how can I get better? How can I help put this team, how can I help put this offense in a better situation than we were in last year?”
A professional answer from somebody who understands better than most how to play the media game. Robinson at least still sounds hopeful that something may get done. He’s remained adamant that it is up to his agent and the Bears. Pace, for his part, has maintained the stance that the team wants him back. It is just a long process.
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Allen Robinson isn’t shirking his duties as a leader
He’s been working extensively with fellow wide receiver Darnell Mooney in private workouts. The 27-year old made it clear on Instagram Live earlier this week that he thinks the second-year man is poised for big things in the near future. If he’s right, then the two could form a lethal combination. Mooney taking the top off defenses with his speed while Robinson sliced them up underneath with his precision route running.
It is a pairing that has a chance to do big things. Especially if Justin Fields ends up being the caliber of quarterback many believe he can. As stated earlier though, that falls at the feet of the Bears. They’re notorious for keeping contract discussions as tight-lipped as possible. So only they know if a serious push to keep Allen Robinson has begun, will begin shortly, or won’t happen altogether.
That uncertainty is what angers fans.
This organization has a long history of parting ways with productive wide receivers. Curtis Conway, Marty Booker, and Alshon Jeffery just to name a few. Do they really want to add Robinson to that list, putting the development of their hopeful franchise QB in jeopardy? Here’s hoping they make it happen.