The 2020 season feels like it will happen for the NFL. Just not anywhere close to what is considered normal. Navigating a COVID-19 world is a big challenge. One the league and the players are still trying to figure out. Changes are required in order to make it happen. One of which being the possibility that some players end up opting not to play in 2020. So what does this have to do with Allen Robinson?
More than you think.
The NFL sent a proposal to the NFL Players Association recently about how to handle possible financial issues that will come from having few or even no fans in stadiums this year. A part of that proposal was how to deal with players who wish to opt-out. The idea is any who wish to have a deadline of August 1st to make a decision. Once they confirm it to the team, it’s set in stone. That player cannot play this season.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk explained that there could be an unintended consequence of this approach. The possibility of players using an opt-out as leverage in contract talks.
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Here’s the most intriguing aspect of the opt-out proposal: The NFL’s offer states that “[n]o club may renegotiate a contract with any player who has given notice of his intention to opt out.” As a practical matter, this gives a player until August 1 to use the threat of a potential opt out as leverage to get a new deal.
The message from agent to team would go like this: “My client wants to play this year, but he’s got serious reservations about the league’s safety procedures, and he is concerned about catching the virus and spreading it to his family. But he’d be willing to assume the enhanced risk of playing this year if he were to get a new contract.”
Allen Robinson would be in premium position if that happens
This would be a nightmare scenario for the Bears from a leverage perspective. Robinson knows his value to the offense. He’s their best player and it’s not particularly close. The idea of losing him for a season could be disastrous to their playoff hopes. So threatening to opt out is virtually guaranteed to get their attention. Something Robinson claims he hasn’t had since the offseason began.
What makes it worse is this is the last year of his current contract. According to the proposal, no year would be added to a contract if a player sits out. That means when 2021 begins, Robinson would be a free agent. The Bears would have to franchise tag him in order to prevent him slipping away for nothing.
Will the receiver do this? That’s hard to say. He’s been vocal about his desire to stay in Chicago but has also strongly hinted he won’t do it for cheap. If the Bears try to play hardball, he is the sort of guy who won’t hesitate to use any advantage possible. Threatening an opt out would be the nuclear option.
