Allen Robinson has done everything right. He became exactly what the Chicago Bears hoped he’d be back in 2018 when they signed him. A true #1 wide receiver. Now at age 27 he’s produced back-to-back seasons of over 1,000 yards. Only the fifth player in franchise history to accomplish that feat. One would think the Bears would be quick to reward somebody like that.
Yet for months now? Nothing. There have been whispers that the two sides have discussed a contract extension. As time has gone on, those whispers died away. Reports indicated the two sides made offers and counteroffers but appeared somewhere between $1-2 million per year apart on an agreement. Robinson held his ground and the Bears to this point have refused to up their offer.
Now there is a genuine fear the star receiver will leave in free agency.
It’s a foregone conclusion that he’ll have plenty of teams interested in his services. What isn’t known is what the Bears will do. They seem incredibly crippled with fear by the prospect of the 2021 salary cap dropping. This would put a big squeeze on their finances, which many believe have handcuffed them in negotiations.
They still have the franchise tag in their back pocket, but would they use it? Nobody knows. Some people are surprised Robinson isn’t more vocal about not getting paid. He’s done more than enough to earn his money. This lack of investment feels like a show of disrespect by the team. Yet he has remained quiet. How is he doing that? According to Tyler Dunne of Go Long TD, it comes from channelling an all-time great.
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“Whatever the hand is that I’m dealt, is the hand that I’m dealt,” Robinson says. “I think a lot of people go wrong — not just in football — but in life as far as comparing to other things and comparing to other circumstances other people have. For myself, I remove all of that. I don’t compare to anything. There’s a point that Kobe Bryant would make: ‘Get over yourself.’ That’s a quote I try to put at the forefront.”
Allen Robinson knows he’ll get paid one way or another
So why bother fretting over it? He’ll just continue to do his job. If the Bears don’t want to reward him, he’ll go to somebody who will. That is how smart athletes do business. Let the play on the field do the talking. Over the past six games, it feels like Robinson has really started to turn up the juice with 483 yards and four touchdowns. He is playing his best football of the season.
Chicago? They’re faced with nothing but uncertainty. GM Ryan Pace, head coach Matt Nagy, and quarterback Mitch Trubisky are all battling to save their jobs. The Bears are 6-7 and one loss away from effectively being knocked out of the playoff chase. There is no room for error. Another disappointing season could mean wholesale changes next year.
Changes the star receiver probably wants no part of.
He’s in his prime and probably won’t have another chance at a true big-money contract. He has to reach for as much money as possible. Allen Robinson has always made it clear he loves Chicago. He views his time there as a treasured experience. While it’d be sad to see it end, he doesn’t seem all that fearful of a change coming in the near future.
He’s at peace with where he stands. It comes down to the Bears sending him a message on whether they truly want him there or not. Just like Kobe would’ve done.
