There is a fierce debate going on between football experts in regards to 2018 free agency. Most notably around the wide receiver position. This year has a chance to be one of the best its seen for the talent available in a long time. Much of this due to somewhat rare circumstances regarding some of the biggest names involved. Chiefs among them is former Pro Bowler Allen Robinson.
Under normal parameters, the 24-year old would undoubtedly be a runaway favorite to receive the franchise tag. However, a series of events have created a scenario where the Jacksonville Jaguars could elect to let him hit the open market despite being arguably their best receiver. It started back in 2016.
Robinson was coming off an electric 2015 with 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns. Most expected him to continue dominating. Instead, he crashed back to earth with just 883 yards and six touchdowns. If that weren’t bad enough, his 2017 season ended before it began when he tore his ACL after just one game.
This already makes it a dangerous gamble to consider him for the tag. That’s before another issue that can’t be ignored.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
Jaguars cap situation could enable Bears to have a shot at Allen Robinson
Conor Orr of the MMQB released his list of all players involved in the franchise tag discussion this off-season. Curiously he separated two names who fell into the “possible but unlikely” category. Robinson was one of those names. Most of it has to do with the Jaguars tricky cap situation.
“Jacksonville is relatively tight on cap space (Over the Cap estimates about $20 million this offseason) but could almost double that number if they decide to part ways with quarterback Blake Bortles. In this scenario, is there enough of a cash flow to woo a top-tier quarterback on the open market and allow Robinson to count roughly $16 million against the books? Probably not.
That being said, Robinson is certainly a point of pride. A 2015 Pro Bowler, he shined brightly for Jacksonville before the arrival of Leonard Fournette and the team’s formidable offensive line. As ESPN Jaguars beat man Mike DiRocco noted, a one-year deal for Robinson, who tore his ACL in September, would almost certainly come in below the tag number anyway.”
If tagged Robinson would be on the hook for $16 million in 2018. That would leave Jacksonville roughly $4 million in space remaining to make other moves. That isn’t ideal. Cutting Bortles is now less likely after they just went to the AFC championship. Thus the ways for them to create more breathing space is limited.
The team may choose to avoid tagging Robinson and instead re-sign Marqise Lee to an extension. Lee isn’t quite on Robinson’s level of talent but he’s been healthy, productive and would cost less to keep. Jacksonville could then look to the draft for help in replacing Robinson. This would open the door for the Bears, who have more than enough cap space, to make a hard push for him.
It’s far from guaranteed to happen, but the possibility is there.
