The Chicago Bears made a significant decision that will affect the NFL free agency period next week as the team chose to place the franchise tag on wide receiver Allen Robinson. Although Robinson still wants a large contract extension, this now gives the Bears until July to work out an extension with the team’s best wide receiver. Along with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ using their franchise tag on receiver Chris Godwin, Lions Pro Bowl receiver Kenny Golladay is now the best free agent wide receiver available.

Lions have informed WR Kenny Golladay that they will not use their franchise tag on him, as @TomPelissero reported. Golladay is headed to free agency.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2021

Golladay Has Chicago Ties And Is About To Enter His Prime

Golladay has strong ties to Chicago as he was born in raised in the city and has spent most of his life in Chicago and Illinois. He went to high school at St. Rita and went to college and played football at Northern Illinois University. Golladay was drafted with the 96th selection by the Detroit Lions in the 2017 NFL draft. The Bears were potentially interested in selecting him as he worked out for Chicago before the draft.

The former Huskies’ standout has been one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, when healthy, the last few seasons. Despite only playing in 11 games during his rookie season, Golladay demonstrated a big-play ability as he averaged 17 yards per reception. Throughout his four-year career, the Lions’ star receiver has averaged over 15 yards or more per reception per season. Golladay’s best season came in 2019 when he caught 65 passes for almost 1,200 yards while leading the lead in touchdown receptions.

David Blough to Kenny Golladay for the 75-yard touchdown. A major breakdown for the Bears.

After bouncing his first pass, Blough had Golladay wiiiiide open.

— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) November 28, 2019

What makes Golladay such a great receiver is that he can beat defenders with his size and speed. He has had several touchdown receptions where he has beaten opposing coverage downfield, running past both cornerbacks and safeties. There have been other times where Golladay has used his 6’4 height to win one on one contested passes too. Although Robinson has recorded back-to-back 1,000 yard receiving seasons with the Bears, the team still has not had a receiver like the former NIU star.

Kenny Golladay snatches the ball for a pretty @Lions touchdown! #OnePride #NYGvsDET @kgxix

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— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2019

Signing Golladay Would Give Chicago Multiple Options For Their Future

If the Bears can be financially creative once free agency opens with their salary cap and Golladay would be open to a hometown return, the two parties could work out a deal. The Bears pairing the 27-year old receiver with Robinson would give the offense one of the best wide-receiver pairings in the NFL and could yield similar results to when the team had Pro Bowl receivers in Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery. Adding Golladay to a receivers group that features Robinson and second-year star in Darnell Mooney would give the Bears arguably the wide receiving group in the league.

#Bears coach Matt Nagy compared WR Darnell Mooney to DeSean Jackson and Tyreek Hill.

Nagy, who coached both Hill and Jackson in his career said Mooney has: "Rare element of speed combined with route running, hands, and passion" and "Very high ceiling."pic.twitter.com/9vCFoKoHrg

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 9, 2021

As the Bears continue their search for a starting quarterback for 2021, having a top-five receiving group would reduce the team’s need to overpay for an All-Pro or Pro Bowl quarterback. Chicago is linked to several top-tier quarterbacks such as Deshaun Watson, Russell Wilson, and Derek Carr. Having Robinson, Golladay, and Mooney could allow the team to save on cost and draft picks by targeting mid-tier quarterbacks such as Andy Dalton, Alex Smith, and Ryan Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick and Dalton have both demonstrated an ability to succeed when surrounded by a group of talented receivers.

Signing Golladay would also provide the Bears flexibility when it comes to Robinson’s contract situation. If the Bears can’t work out a long-term contract with the receiver, the team may have to trade him for a high-level draft pick. Golladay would provide the Bears’ with an insurance policy of still having a number one wide receiver if they have to trade Robinson. Having a Pro-Bowl receiver and an additional second or third-round selection in 2022 would be a terrific position for the Bears to have.

The #Bears are officially placing the franchise tag on star WR Allen Robinson, per @AdamSchefter. Both sides have not discussed an extension in months — and Robinson told @TyDunne that a tag might force him to go in the Diggs/Watson route. So this might get ugly.

— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) March 9, 2021

The Bears’ ability to sign Golladay once free agency begins next week is highly unlikely, but Chicago’s front office has made surprise signing over the last few offseasons. Last year, general manager Ryan Pace surprised the league when the team signed edge rusher Robert Quinn along with tight end Jimmy Graham to large deals. Golladay would be a surprise signing, but his presence could payoff both in the short-term and long-term for the Bears’ future.