The warning signs have steadily increased for months now. That of a pending divorce between the Chicago Bears and star wide receiver Allen Robinson. It started with rumors that he inquired about a possible trade last season. This due to contract talks that he felt weren’t going anywhere. Details soon emerged that the Bears had ceased active discussions as far back as last September.
Since then, Robinson hasn’t changed his message whenever asked. There is nothing new to report. He is focused on playing this season. Whatever happens with his contract is between his agent and the team. Everything about it sounds like a receiver resigned to a likely fate. What is it? Most seem to think a departure from Chicago. The latest news updates certainly aren’t helping.
Another prominent insider added further details.
ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler provided an update on a Sunday edition of SportsCenter. As far as the discussions between the receiver and the Bears? He called them “pretty slow” and that there “has not been much momentum.” It appears to be a “decent chance” at this point that Robinson will play the 2021 season out on the franchise tag. The goal being obvious. Deliver a great year with huge numbers and then “smash” free agency in 2022.
Remember the Bears have just four days left until the July 15th deadline for teams to negotiate long-term extensions with franchise tagged players. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network called a new deal with Robinson unlikely at this point. Now Fowler is basically saying the receiver already has his eyes fixed on free agency next March. A sign that he isn’t expecting to return after this year.
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Allen Robinson wants a certain dollar amount
The Bears aren’t willing to meet it. That is what all of this ultimately boils down to. There is no bad blood between anybody. Robinson doesn’t hate the city or the fans. His teammates and coaches love him. This is a simple case of business. While exact numbers are unknown, it is clear Robinson wants to get paid like one of the top 5 receivers in the league. That means at least $20 million per year.
GM Ryan Pace is showing that he doesn’t think the receiver is worth that much. Truth be told, he’s proven since taking over that he isn’t big on paying top money to receivers in general. The same thing happened with Alshon Jeffery back in 2017. So the receiver left for Philadelphia who eventually gave him that big deal. One they are undoubtedly regretting right now. Allen Robinson is a good player, but it seems Pace doesn’t think he plays a position worthy of huge money.
Is he wrong?
That depends on who you ask. It is worth pointing this out though. Robinson’s three best seasons came in 2015, 2019, and 2020. His teams finished 5-11, 8-8, and 8-8 respectively. DeAndre Hopkins and Justin Jefferson finished 3rd and 4th in receiving yards last year and both missed the playoffs. Having a great receiver is not a bad thing at all. However, it isn’t as vital to team success as other positions on the roster.
It can also be replaced more easily thanks to the steady stream of quality talent coming up from college. See Darnell Mooney. Is it the ideal outcome fans wanted? No. Yet this is the reality the Bears seem content with.