Allen Robinson has reasons to be a little disgruntled at the moment. Despite back-to-back great years of production at wide receiver for the Chicago Bears, he still hasn’t secured the long-term contract he’s been seeking. All he’s gotten is the franchise tag this offseason. Something he’d said over and over for months that he wanted nothing to do with. Still, true to form he will be at mandatory minicamps this week and is expected to attend training camp. There will be no holdout.
Always the professional. Robinson will leave it up to fate whether the Bears wish to make this thing happen. Optimism isn’t exactly high for fans lately. Word has persisted the two sides haven’t talked about a new deal since last fall. Something Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune confirmed in his recent column. So what exactly is Robinson looking for? Biggs provided the likely ballpark the 27-year old is seeking.
“This requires some speculation, but it’s a good bet Robinson’s camp is using Keenan Allen’s extension last September as a measuring stick. The Los Angeles Chargers signed Allen to a four-year extension worth $80.1 million just before the season. That deal included $32 million fully guaranteed.
Robinson’s camp can point to similar production by the players over the last three seasons and can argue Allen was playing with a higher-caliber quarterback. The 27-year-old Robinson — who is fourth in the league in receptions (200) and receiving yards (2,397) since 2019 — is also one year younger than Allen.”
This seems to fall in line with all the rumors.
Initially, Robinson wanted something similar to Odell Beckham Jr. ($18 million per year) while the Bears were hoping for $16-17 million. That obviously changed when guys like Allen and Amari Cooper cracked $20 million per year. With their production and ages being similar, it makes perfect sense that Robinson would believe he’s worth similar money. Thus far it seems the organization doesn’t agree.
Why is that? A couple of factors. Uncertainty over the salary cap was probably the biggest one. The Bears haven’t had a clear picture of where the 2021 or 2022 cap ceilings were going to be. That made a long-term deal difficult. Also, there is GM Ryan Pace himself. He’s said in the past that he feels the wide receiver position can be rebuilt rather quickly compared to other positions. So he might be as perturbed about losing Robinson as others.
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Remember he let Alshon Jeffery walk in 2017. A year later he acquired Robinson, Taylor Gabriel, and Anthony Miller in a single offseason. The Bears won the division and Mitch Trubisky made the Pro Bowl as an alternate.
Allen Robinson is willing to gamble on himself
That much has been made clear from his firm stance in these negotiations. The receiver feels his worth is at a certain value. Thus far the Bears haven’t been willing to reach that area. So the standoff continues. If that means playing the 2021 season on the franchise tag? Robinson appears willing to risk it. Presuming he has another year like 2020, somebody is going to pay him well next spring.
Pace has to approach this situation delicately. He doesn’t have the luxury of a 1st round pick in 2022. While the Bears will have more cap space, they’ll also have a ton of in-house free agents to deal with. Including Allen Robinson of course. So if he feels he can improve the position despite the veteran leaving, he better be sure.
Justin Fields can expect to excel without weapons.
The deadline to watch will be July 15th. That is how long tagged players have to negotiate long-term extensions. If nothing happens by then, the reality will set in. Chicago will likely let Robinson hit the market next March and be seeking changes new options at the position.