Seems the Chicago Bears news is coming in fast this afternoon. Just minutes after hearing Mitch Trubisky had signed with Buffalo, Adam Schefter dropped another bomb. Apparently, GM Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy met personally with former Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay. A surefire sign the Bears are interested in signing the 28-year old.
This is significant. Signing Golladay sends a clear message that Chicago might be preparing to move on from Allen Robinson. The two sides haven’t been able to reach any sort of common ground on a long-term extension. Being able to secure Golladay on a long-term deal would likely lead the Bears to either trading Robinson or rescinding the franchise tag, allowing him to hit free agency.
Lions' free-agent WR Kenny Golladay spent Wednesday night meeting with Bears GM Ryan Pace and HC Matt Nagy, per source. He is scheduled to be in New York tonight to meet with the Giants.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 18, 2021
This would be quite a swerve by the Bears.
Golladay is a year older than Robinson and struggled through injuries last year. However, when healthy he is an absolute playmaker. Somebody who can take over games with his mixture of size, strength, and sharp route running. Chicago knows this well as he’s gashed them repeatedly over the past few years. Most reports seem to indicate the New York Giants and Cincinnati Bengals are also involved.
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One can understand this approach. Golladay will likely be less expensive due to his recent history and the depressed wide receiver market. Robinson hasn’t budged on whatever price he’s demanding from the Bears. Clearly, it’s one they aren’t prepared to pay. Golladay would make for an ideal consolation prize. It also doesn’t hurt that he’s a Chicago native who went to Northern Illinois. So they might have some leverage.
Kenny Golladay is worth the risk for the Bears
Aside from it being a cool story to come back to his hometown team, it would be the perfect way for the Bears to usher in the end of the Robinson era. A way to keep fans from losing their minds over having to let another really good receiver slip away. Right now Robinson is secured on a one-year deal under the franchise tag at $17.98 million. He and the team have until July 15th to negotiate an extension. By the sound of things, Robinson isn’t in any rush to make that happen.
He has no plans to sign the tag and most experts predict a holdout is coming. It’s possible that is a headache the Bears would prefer to avoid. Signing Kenny Golladay affords them an exit strategy. He and Darnell Mooney would make for a strong pairing at wide receiver. Pace would then be able to shift his focus towards other areas of need like quarterback and the offensive line.
It’s not a done deal though.
Golladay still plans to meet with the Giants as well. There is some mutual interest between the two. It may come down to who is willing to offer the better deal. That could prove challenging for Chicago who remain limited in terms of salary cap space. Then again they could easily unload Robinson and free up at $17.98 million.