One thing often overlooked about coaching changes is how they may alter players’ fortunes on a current roster. Some who were considered lost causes with previous staff may suddenly find new life under another. The Chicago Bears have seen this happen in years past. People were ready to wave the white flag on wide receiver Marcus Robinson after two quiet seasons to start his career. Then, a new coaching staff under Dick Jauron arrived in 1999. Robinson exploded for 1400 yards, blossoming into a potential star.
Maybe the same can happen again with the arrival of Ben Johnson and his staff. Nobody can argue that the new head coach has put together a group of highly accomplished assistants on both sides of the ball. Their expertise and schematic changes may have some unexpected benefits for unlikely names. Albert Breer of the MMQB is hearing there is one that Bears fans won’t believe.
“The question lingering on defense is who will play the edge opposite Montez Sweat when Dayo Odeyingbo goes inside on passing downs. Austin Booker is one player, but a guy who’s quietly become one to watch is four-year man Dominique Robinson, who’s big and athletic, and looks natural in new coordinator Dennis Allen’s defense.”
Dominique Robinson was a fifth-round pick in 2022. After a great start to his career with 1.5 sacks in his debut, he has had 0.5 since. Fans wrote him off, understandably so. However, it appears the arrival of new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has changed things.
The Chicago Bears wouldn’t be the first team for whom Allen did this.
He had a few revival projects bear fruit during his time in the league. Ryan McBean was a nobody for four years in the NFL, producing no sacks. Allen squeezed four out of him in 2011. This is not to say Robinson will magically transform into a star. However, it would be a major victory if the Chicago Bears could get four or five sacks out of him after what little he contributed. Nobody ever questioned the young man’s athletic ability. Many saw him as a multi-year project with significant upside. He has size, length, power, and quickness. It was always a matter of whether he could master the intricate art of rushing the passer. That hasn’t happened. Perhaps moving away from Matt Eberflus’ outdated system was what he needed.
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