The Chicago Bears did almost everything they needed to do this offseason. This without too many major sacrifices in the process. Losing Kyle Fuller was difficult but otherwise, the roster remains intact and even deeper than it was in 2020. Yet one situation remains unresolved. What are they going to do about Allen Robinson? The franchise tag bought them another year, which is good.
However, all this does is delay the inevitable. Unless the Bears find a way to secure him on a long-term extension, they’ll be right back in the same situation next offseason. Except this time they won’t be able to use the tag again due to it being way too expensive. This means Robinson would leave in free agency. At that point, Chicago’s wide receiver position would be in a state of serious concern. Only Darnell Mooney and Dazz Newsome being the two notable names under contract.
So that begs the question again.
Why? Why has it been such a challenge to make this thing happen? Theories abound. Something Robinson wants top 5 money. That would put him north of the $20 million per year range. Others believe the Bears are hoping to get him around $17 million per year and Robinson thinks that is insulting. Whichever side is most at fault, the fact remains that talks remain lacking in progress. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune provided an update.
“If the Bears are going to hammer out a multiyear extension with Robinson, my guess is that would happen just before the July 15 deadline for players under the franchise tag to sign a bigger deal…
…My guess right now is there’s a good chance Robinson winds up playing out the season on the tag, which likely would make him a free agent in March 2022 as the Bears are unlikely to tag him a second time.”
In other words, the opportunity to reach a deal is still there but time is running out. Neither side seems to be in a hurry. That again brings up the previous question. Why? There is one other factor that hasn’t really been discussed up to this point. Their potential replacement options in 2022. When looking at the list of pending unrestricted free agents next March, it becomes a bit easier to understand the Bears’ dawdling.
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- Chris Godwin
- D.J. Chark
- Michael Gallup
- Courtland Sutton
- Will Fuller
- Mike Williams
- Robby Anderson
- Davante Adams
Obviously, not all of those names will reach the open market, but there is a strong possibility three or four of them should. GM Ryan Pace is no doubt weighing the risks. Are his odds favorable of landing one of them at a price he’s more comfortable with and letting Robinson walk?
Allen Robinson continues to feel he’ll get more money somewhere else
Is he right? His last two seasons have certainly showcased his prowess as a go-to receiver. Topping 1,000 yards both times with Mitch Trubisky and Nick Foles as your quarterbacks is no small feat. This firm stance suggests his belief another team will give him the contract he wants next March. Is this correct? Maybe, but it’s fair to point out Robinson will be 29-years old.
It is difficult to imagine a team investing $20 million or more per year in him unless he has a tremendous season in 2021. This makes what he is doing a gamble. Then again, Allen Robinson said he wants to be an agent after his playing days are over. So this sort of stand shouldn’t be a huge surprise. For their part, the Bears seem content to let him play out the string. Likely in the knowledge they have backup options in play.
This is the poker game everybody plays.
The best-case scenario in all of this remains unchanged. Signing Robinson to a long-term extension before the July 15th deadline. If it doesn’t happen? We will likely know where the Bears stand. One thing is for sure. Wide receiver will be their primary focus next offseason if this is the case. Especially with a young quarterback in Justin Fields preparing to take over.
